Zverev Faces Auger-Aliassime in ATP World Tour Finals Clash
Overview
The occupational hazards of round-robin tennis often result in at this point of the ATP Finals fans frequently find themselves scratching our heads, searching around for a mathematical tool and attempting to calculate the mind-boggling permutations of qualification. But today's game between Alexander Zverev and Auger-Aliassime, fortunately, is straightforward. It's a direct elimination: the successful player earns a semifinal matchup against Carlos Alcaraz at this championship finale; the loser heads out.
Zverev is the predicted winner for this: the elite athlete is the more experienced competitor, has been the champion at this tournament twice before and is ahead in their direct encounters six matches to three, winning both the games they've played on an covered hard surface.
But … this is the surface on which Felix has secured most of his championships, he is in great form after his impressive recovery against Ben Shelton on Wednesday and he defeated the German in the US Championships third round in late summer. Plus, the court pace is quicker in the host city than at Flushing Meadows, which provides an additional advantage in Auger-Aliassime's benefit.
If Zverev holds back, like he was against the Italian, and Auger-Aliassime takes it to the European player with his powerful serves and bold strategy, it might very well be the North American athlete – the earlier standout who was once in line ahead of the Spanish and Italian stars to succeed the tennis icons – who earns the dubious honour of facing the global leader the next day.
Action commences: at about 8.30pm local time, 19:30 Greenwich Mean Time.
