Zverev Faces Felix Auger-Aliassime in ATP Finals Showdown
Preamble
The typical complications of tournament pool play mean by this stage of the season-ending championships viewers are commonly puzzled, scrambling about for a calculator and attempting to calculate the mind-boggling permutations of qualification. But today's game between Zverev and Felix Auger-Aliassime, mercifully, is easy. This is a winner-takes-all affair: the winner earns a semifinal contest against Alcaraz at this championship finale; the defeated player heads out.
The German is the frontrunner for this: the world No 3 is the more accomplished player, has previously won at this tournament previously on two instances and holds the advantage in their personal record six matches to three, securing victories in both the games they've played on an enclosed hard court.
But … this is the surface on which Auger-Aliassime has claimed the majority of his titles, he is full of confidence after his compelling comeback against Shelton on Wednesday and he took out the German in the US Championships third round in late summer. Additionally, conditions are faster in Turin than at Flushing Meadows, which is even more beneficial in the Canadian's benefit.
If the German player is reserved, like he was against the Italian, and Auger-Aliassime takes it to the European player with his effective service game and bold strategy, there is a strong chance the 25-year-old Canadian – the one-time phenom who was once in line before Alcaraz and Sinner to replace the tennis icons – who obtains the uncertain distinction of competing with the world No 1 the next day.
Play begins: at about 8.30pm local time, 7:30 PM in the UK.
