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Overview

The typical complications of round-robin tennis mean by this stage of the ATP Finals we’re often left confused, hastily looking for a mathematical tool and striving to determine the brain-busting permutations of qualification. Yet today's game between Alexander Zverev and Felix Auger-Aliassime, thankfully, is easy. It's a direct elimination: the successful player earns a semifinal battle against Alcaraz at this year-end tournament; the loser is eliminated.

Zverev is the predicted winner for this: the third-ranked player is the more accomplished player, has previously won at this tournament previously on two instances and leads their head-to-head with six victories against three defeats, securing victories in both their previous matches on an covered hard surface.

However … this particular court on which Felix has secured the bulk of his trophies, he is in great form after his impressive recovery against Ben Shelton on midweek and he defeated Zverev in the US Championships initial phase in August. Plus, conditions are faster in the host city than at Flushing Meadows, which works even more in Auger-Aliassime's favor.

If Zverev holds back, as he did against Sinner, and Felix aggressively challenges the European player with his powerful serves and fearless play, there is a strong chance the 25-year-old Canadian – the one-time phenom who was previously positioned in front of the younger champions to succeed the Big Three – who earns the uncertain distinction of competing with the world No 1 on Saturday.

Play begins: at approximately 8:30 PM in Turin, 19:30 Greenwich Mean Time.