Alexander Zverev Battles Auger-Aliassime in ATP World Tour Finals Clash
Overview
The occupational hazards of tournament pool play mean at this point of the ATP Finals we’re often left confused, searching around for a mathematical tool and trying to work out the mind-boggling permutations of qualification. However tonight’s match between Zverev and Auger-Aliassime, thankfully, is easy. This is a winner-takes-all affair: the winner secures a semi-final contest against Alcaraz at this year-end tournament; the defeated player is eliminated.
Zverev is the favourite for this: the world No 3 is the player with greater achievements, has previously won at this event on two prior occasions and holds the advantage in their personal record with six victories against three defeats, securing victories in both their past encounters on an covered hard surface.
Yet … this type of playing field on which Felix has secured most of his championships, he is full of confidence after his remarkable turnaround against Ben Shelton on midweek and he defeated Zverev in the US Open initial phase in late summer. Furthermore, the court pace is quicker in the host city than at Flushing Meadows, which is even more beneficial in the Canadian's favor.
If the German player is reserved, similar to his performance against the Italian, and Felix aggressively challenges the German with his powerful serves and bold strategy, it could well be the 25-year-old Canadian – the former prodigy who was earlier slated ahead of the Spanish and Italian stars to replace the Big Three – who obtains the questionable privilege of competing with the world No 1 tomorrow.
Action commences: at around 20:30 in the host city, 7.30pm GMT.
