Zverev Battles Felix Auger-Aliassime in ATP Finals Showdown
Introduction
The inherent challenges of tournament pool play typically lead to during this phase of the ATP Finals we’re often left confused, hastily looking for a mathematical tool and attempting to calculate the mind-boggling permutations of qualification. But today's game between Zverev and Felix Auger-Aliassime, mercifully, is easy. It’s a straight shootout: the winner sets up a final four matchup against Carlos Alcaraz at this championship finale; the defeated player is eliminated.
Zverev is the predicted winner for this: the world No 3 is the player with greater achievements, has previously won at this tournament on two prior occasions and leads their head-to-head 6-3, having won both their past encounters on an enclosed hard court.
But … this is the surface on which Auger-Aliassime has claimed the majority of his titles, he’s riding a high after his compelling comeback against Shelton on Wednesday and he eliminated the German in the US Open third round in August. Furthermore, the playing speed is higher in Turin than at Flushing Meadows, which works even more in AA’s favor.
If the German player is reserved, like he was against the Italian, and Auger-Aliassime takes it to the European player with his effective service game and bold strategy, it could well be the 25-year-old Canadian – the earlier standout who was earlier slated before Alcaraz and Sinner to take over from the Big Three – who secures the questionable privilege of competing with the world No 1 tomorrow.
Action commences: at approximately 8:30 PM in Turin, 7.30pm GMT.
