Zverev Faces Auger-Aliassime in ATP Finals Clash
Preamble
The inherent challenges of group stage tennis mean during this phase of the ATP World Tour Finals fans frequently find themselves puzzled, scrambling about for a computing device and trying to work out the brain-busting qualification scenarios. However today's game between Zverev and Auger-Aliassime, thankfully, is simple. This is a winner-takes-all affair: the winner sets up a semifinal contest against Carlos Alcaraz at this year-end tournament; the defeated player goes home.
Zverev is the predicted winner for this: the world No 3 is the player with greater achievements, has claimed the title at this tournament twice before and is ahead in their direct encounters with six victories against three defeats, winning both their previous matches on an covered hard surface.
But … this is the surface on which Auger-Aliassime has claimed the bulk of his trophies, he is in great form after his impressive recovery against Ben Shelton on Wednesday and he defeated Zverev in the US Open early stage in August. Additionally, conditions are faster in the host city than at Flushing Meadows, which provides an additional advantage in AA’s favor.
If Zverev holds back, like he was against Sinner, and the Canadian presses the German with his stinging serves and confident shots, there is a strong chance the young Canadian – the former prodigy who was earlier slated ahead of Alcaraz and Sinner to replace the Big Three – who obtains the dubious honour of competing with the top-ranked player the next day.
Play begins: at approximately 8:30 PM in Turin, 7.30pm GMT.
