Zverev Battles Auger-Aliassime in ATP Finals Clash
Overview
The occupational hazards of group stage tennis mean at this point of the ATP Finals viewers are commonly scratching our heads, scrambling about for a computing device and attempting to calculate the complex qualification scenarios. Yet this evening's contest between Alexander Zverev and Felix Auger-Aliassime, thankfully, is easy. It’s a straight shootout: the winner sets up a semi-final battle against Alcaraz at this year-end tournament; the unsuccessful competitor goes home.
Zverev is the favourite for this: the elite athlete 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 the games they've played on an indoor hard court.
But … this is the surface on which the Canadian has won the majority of his titles, he’s riding a high after his impressive recovery against Shelton on midweek and he defeated the German in the US Championships early stage in late summer. Additionally, the court pace is quicker in the host city than at the US Open venue, which provides an additional advantage in AA’s favour.
Should Zverev be cautious, as he did against the Italian, and Auger-Aliassime takes it to the European player with his effective service game and confident shots, there is a strong chance the 25-year-old Canadian – the former prodigy who was previously positioned in front of the Spanish and Italian stars to replace the Big Three – who obtains the uncertain distinction of facing the world No 1 tomorrow.
The match starts: at around 20:30 in the host city, 19:30 Greenwich Mean Time.
