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Preamble

The typical complications of tournament pool play mean by this stage of the ATP World Tour Finals viewers are commonly scratching our heads, searching around for a computing device and trying to work out the complex potential outcomes for advancement. However tonight’s match between Alexander Zverev and Auger-Aliassime, fortunately, is simple. It’s a straight shootout: the winner secures a final four battle against Alcaraz at this championship finale; the unsuccessful competitor heads out.

Zverev is the favourite for this: the world No 3 is the more experienced competitor, has claimed the title at this tournament on two prior occasions and is ahead in their direct encounters 6-3, having won both their past encounters on an enclosed hard court.

However … this particular court on which Felix has secured most of his championships, he is in great form after his remarkable turnaround against Shelton on Wednesday and he eliminated Zverev in the US Championships early stage in late summer. Plus, conditions are faster in the host city than at the US Open venue, which works even more in AA’s benefit.

Should Zverev be cautious, like he was against Sinner, and the Canadian presses the European player with his effective service game and bold strategy, there is a strong chance the young Canadian – the former prodigy who was earlier slated in front of the younger champions to take over from the tennis icons – who obtains the dubious honour of competing with the global leader tomorrow.

Action commences: at about 8.30pm local time, 7.30pm GMT.