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Overview

The occupational hazards of round-robin tennis often result in at this point of the ATP World Tour Finals fans frequently find themselves puzzled, searching around for a mathematical tool and attempting to calculate the mind-boggling permutations of qualification. But today's game between Alexander Zverev and Felix Auger-Aliassime, thankfully, is simple. This is a winner-takes-all affair: the victor sets up a semi-final battle against Alcaraz at this championship finale; the unsuccessful competitor goes home.

Zverev is the predicted winner for this: the third-ranked player is the more accomplished player, has been the champion at this tournament previously on two instances and leads their head-to-head six matches to three, having won both the games they've played on an indoor hard court.

However … this particular court on which Auger-Aliassime has claimed the bulk of his trophies, he’s riding a high after his compelling comeback against Ben Shelton on recently and he defeated the German in the US Championships third round in August. Plus, the court pace is quicker in Turin than at Flushing Meadows, which provides an additional advantage in AA’s favour.

If Zverev holds back, like he was against Sinner, and the Canadian presses the German with his stinging serves and fearless play, it could well be the 25-year-old Canadian – the one-time phenom who was previously positioned ahead of the younger champions to succeed the legendary trio – who obtains the dubious honour of competing with the top-ranked player tomorrow.

Play begins: at about 8.30pm local time, 7.30pm GMT.