Zverev Takes On Felix Auger-Aliassime in Season-Ending Championships Clash
Introduction
The inherent challenges of group stage tennis often result in by this stage of the ATP Finals we’re often left puzzled, searching around for a calculator and trying to work out the brain-busting qualification scenarios. Yet today's game between Zverev and Auger-Aliassime, mercifully, is simple. This is a winner-takes-all affair: the victor secures a semi-final matchup against Carlos Alcaraz at this championship finale; the loser goes home.
The German is the frontrunner for this: the elite athlete is the more experienced competitor, has been the champion at this competition twice before and is ahead in their direct encounters 6-3, securing victories in both their previous matches on an covered hard surface.
However … this particular court on which Felix has secured most of his championships, he’s riding a high after his remarkable turnaround against Ben Shelton on midweek and he took out the German in the US Open third round in August. Furthermore, the playing speed is higher in the host city than at Flushing Meadows, which is even more beneficial in the Canadian's benefit.
If the German player is reserved, like he was against Sinner, and Auger-Aliassime takes it to the German with his effective service game and confident shots, there is a strong chance the 25-year-old Canadian – the one-time phenom who was once in line ahead of the younger champions to succeed the tennis icons – who secures the dubious honour of facing the global leader the next day.
The match starts: at about 8.30pm local time, 19:30 Greenwich Mean Time.
