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Overview

The typical complications of tournament pool play mean during this phase of the ATP Finals viewers are commonly confused, scrambling about for a calculator and striving to determine the complex qualification scenarios. However tonight’s match between Alexander Zverev and Auger-Aliassime, mercifully, is easy. This is a winner-takes-all affair: the winner earns a semi-final battle against Carlos Alcaraz at this season-ending event; the defeated player is eliminated.

Zverev is the favourite for this: the elite athlete is the more accomplished player, has been the champion at this competition previously on two instances and is ahead in their direct encounters six matches to three, having won both the games they've played on an indoor hard court.

However … this particular court on which Felix has secured the bulk of his trophies, he is in great form after his compelling comeback against Shelton on Wednesday and he took out the German in the US Championships early stage in August. Furthermore, the playing speed is higher in the host city than at the US Open venue, which provides an additional advantage in AA’s favor.

Should Zverev be cautious, like he was against Sinner, and Auger-Aliassime takes it to the German with his stinging serves and fearless play, it could well be the young Canadian – the earlier standout who was once in line in front of Alcaraz and Sinner to take over from the Big Three – who secures the questionable privilege of competing with the global leader tomorrow.

The match starts: at about 8.30pm local time, 7:30 PM in the UK.