Zverev Takes On Auger-Aliassime in ATP Finals Clash
Overview
The inherent challenges of tournament pool play typically lead to by this stage of the season-ending championships fans frequently find themselves scratching our heads, searching around for a computing device and trying to work out the mind-boggling permutations of qualification. But tonight’s match between Alexander Zverev and Auger-Aliassime, mercifully, is simple. This is a winner-takes-all affair: the victor sets up a semifinal contest against Alcaraz at this year-end tournament; the loser goes home.
Zverev is the favourite for this: the world No 3 is the player with greater achievements, has previously won at this tournament on two prior occasions and is ahead in their direct encounters 6-3, having won both the games they've played on an indoor hard court.
But … this is the surface on which the Canadian has won the bulk of his trophies, he’s riding a high after his compelling comeback against Ben Shelton on Wednesday and he eliminated Zverev in the US Open third round in late summer. Additionally, the court pace is quicker in Turin than at the US Open venue, which works even more in Auger-Aliassime's benefit.
If Zverev holds back, as he did against Sinner, and Auger-Aliassime takes it to the European player with his stinging serves and confident shots, it might very well be the 25-year-old Canadian – the former prodigy who was once in line before the Spanish and Italian stars to succeed the Big Three – who earns the uncertain distinction of competing with the world No 1 on Saturday.
Action commences: at about 8.30pm local time, 19:30 Greenwich Mean Time.
