Zverev Faces Felix Auger-Aliassime in ATP World Tour Finals Showdown
Overview
The occupational hazards of tournament pool play often result in during this phase of the season-ending championships fans frequently find themselves scratching our heads, scrambling about for a mathematical tool and trying to work out the brain-busting permutations of qualification. Yet tonight’s match between Zverev and Auger-Aliassime, fortunately, is simple. This is a winner-takes-all affair: the successful player sets up a final four matchup against Carlos Alcaraz at this championship finale; the unsuccessful competitor heads out.
Zverev is the predicted winner for this: the world No 3 is the player with greater achievements, has previously won at this tournament twice before and is ahead in their direct encounters six matches to three, securing victories in both their previous matches on an covered hard surface.
But … this is the surface on which the Canadian has won most of his championships, he’s riding a high after his remarkable turnaround against Shelton on Wednesday and he took out Zverev in the US Championships initial phase in late summer. Furthermore, conditions are faster in the host city than at Flushing Meadows, which works even more in Auger-Aliassime's favor.
Should Zverev be cautious, like he was against the Italian, and Auger-Aliassime takes it to the European player with his stinging serves and fearless play, it might very well be the young Canadian – the former prodigy who was previously positioned ahead of the Spanish and Italian stars to take over from the legendary trio – who secures the uncertain distinction of facing the world No 1 the next day.
Play begins: at about 8.30pm local time, 19:30 Greenwich Mean Time.
