Zverev Faces Felix Auger-Aliassime in ATP Finals Match
Overview
The typical complications of tournament pool play mean at this point of the ATP World Tour Finals we’re often left scratching our heads, searching around for a calculator and attempting to calculate the complex potential outcomes for advancement. But tonight’s match between Zverev and Felix Auger-Aliassime, fortunately, is simple. It’s a straight shootout: the winner earns a semi-final matchup against Alcaraz at this season-ending event; the unsuccessful competitor 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 previously on two instances and is ahead in their direct encounters 6-3, securing victories in both their previous matches 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 remarkable turnaround against Ben Shelton on Wednesday and he eliminated Zverev in the US Open third round in August. Plus, conditions are faster in the host city than at the US Open venue, which works even more in AA’s favor.
Should Zverev be cautious, like he was against the Italian, and Auger-Aliassime takes it to the European player with his stinging serves and confident shots, it might very well be the North American athlete – the earlier standout who was earlier slated ahead of the younger champions to take over from the legendary trio – who secures the uncertain distinction of competing with the world No 1 tomorrow.
The match starts: at around 20:30 in the host city, 7:30 PM in the UK.
