Alexander Zverev Takes On Felix Auger-Aliassime in ATP Finals Match
Preamble
The typical complications of group stage tennis often result in during this phase of the ATP World Tour Finals fans frequently find themselves puzzled, hastily looking for a computing device and attempting to calculate the complex qualification scenarios. But tonight’s match between Zverev and Auger-Aliassime, mercifully, is simple. This is a winner-takes-all affair: the successful player secures a final four battle against Carlos Alcaraz at this year-end tournament; the loser goes home.
Zverev is the predicted winner for this: the third-ranked player is the more experienced competitor, has previously won at this tournament twice before and leads their head-to-head six matches to three, having won both their previous matches on an covered hard surface.
However … this particular court on which Felix has secured the bulk of his trophies, he is in great form after his compelling comeback against Ben Shelton on midweek and he took out the German in the US Championships initial phase in late summer. Plus, the playing speed is higher in the host city than at Flushing Meadows, which works even more in Auger-Aliassime's favor.
If Zverev holds back, like he was against Sinner, and the Canadian presses the European player with his powerful serves and fearless play, it might very well be the young Canadian – the one-time phenom who was earlier slated ahead of the younger champions to succeed the Big Three – who earns the dubious honour of competing with the world No 1 the next day.
Play begins: at around 20:30 in the host city, 7:30 PM in the UK.
