Zverev Battles Auger-Aliassime in ATP Finals Match
Overview
The occupational hazards of round-robin tennis mean at this point of the ATP World Tour Finals we’re often left scratching our heads, hastily looking for a mathematical tool and trying to work out the brain-busting qualification scenarios. But this evening's contest between Zverev and Felix Auger-Aliassime, fortunately, is easy. It's a direct elimination: the victor earns a semi-final matchup against Alcaraz at this season-ending event; the loser heads out.
The German is the frontrunner for this: the third-ranked player is the more experienced competitor, has previously won at this tournament twice before and holds the advantage in their personal record with six victories against three defeats, securing victories in both the games they've played on an covered hard surface.
But … this is the surface on which Auger-Aliassime has claimed the majority of his titles, he’s riding a high after his compelling comeback against Shelton on Wednesday and he eliminated Zverev in the US Open initial phase in August. Plus, conditions are faster in the host city than at the US Open venue, which works even more in AA’s benefit.
If Zverev holds back, similar to his performance against Sinner, and the Canadian presses the European player with his powerful serves and bold strategy, it could well be the young Canadian – the earlier standout who was earlier slated in front of Alcaraz and Sinner to succeed the legendary trio – who earns the questionable privilege of facing the top-ranked player the next day.
Play begins: at approximately 8:30 PM in Turin, 19:30 Greenwich Mean Time.
