Alexander Zverev Takes On Felix Auger-Aliassime in ATP Finals Clash
Introduction
The inherent challenges of round-robin tennis mean at this point of the ATP Finals we’re often left puzzled, searching around for a calculator and attempting to calculate the brain-busting permutations of qualification. However today's game between Alexander Zverev and Felix Auger-Aliassime, mercifully, is easy. It's a direct elimination: the winner earns a semifinal battle against Alcaraz at this year-end tournament; the unsuccessful competitor is eliminated.
The German is the frontrunner for this: the third-ranked player is the more experienced competitor, has been the champion at this tournament previously on two instances and holds the advantage in their personal record six matches to three, having won both their previous matches on an enclosed hard court.
However … this particular court on which Felix has secured the bulk of his trophies, he is full of confidence after his impressive recovery against Shelton on Wednesday and he eliminated the German in the US Championships initial phase in August. Furthermore, conditions are faster in Turin than at the US Open venue, which is even more beneficial in AA’s benefit.
If Zverev holds back, like he was against the Italian, and Auger-Aliassime takes it to the German with his effective service game and confident shots, it could well be the 25-year-old Canadian – the one-time phenom who was earlier slated ahead of Alcaraz and Sinner to take over from the tennis icons – who secures the questionable privilege of playing against the global leader on Saturday.
The match starts: at around 20:30 in the host city, 7:30 PM in the UK.