Zverev Faces Auger-Aliassime in ATP Finals Showdown
Introduction
The inherent challenges of round-robin tennis typically lead to by this stage of the season-ending championships viewers are commonly scratching our heads, searching around for a computing device and trying to work out the brain-busting permutations of qualification. However today's game between Zverev and Auger-Aliassime, mercifully, is easy. It’s a straight shootout: the winner secures a final four matchup against Carlos Alcaraz at this championship finale; the defeated player heads out.
Zverev is the favourite for this: the third-ranked player is the more experienced competitor, has claimed the title at this tournament on two prior occasions and is ahead in their direct encounters six matches to three, having won both their previous matches on an indoor hard court.
But … this is the surface on which the Canadian has won most of his championships, he is full of confidence after his impressive recovery against Shelton on Wednesday and he defeated the German in the US Championships early stage in late summer. Additionally, the playing speed is higher in the host city than at the US Open venue, which is even more beneficial in AA’s favor.
Should Zverev be cautious, similar to his performance against the Italian, and Auger-Aliassime takes it to the German with his powerful serves and fearless play, it could well be the 25-year-old Canadian – the one-time phenom who was previously positioned before the Spanish and Italian stars to succeed the Big Three – who secures the dubious honour of competing with the world No 1 on Saturday.
The match starts: at around 20:30 in the host city, 7.30pm GMT.
