Zverev Takes On Felix Auger-Aliassime in Season-Ending Championships Match
Preamble
The inherent challenges of round-robin tennis typically lead to at this point of the season-ending championships we’re often left scratching our heads, scrambling about for a mathematical tool and trying to work out the complex qualification scenarios. However tonight’s match between Alexander Zverev and Felix Auger-Aliassime, thankfully, is simple. This is a winner-takes-all affair: the successful player sets up a semi-final matchup against Alcaraz at this year-end tournament; the unsuccessful competitor heads out.
The German is the frontrunner for this: the elite athlete is the more accomplished player, has been the champion at this event previously on two instances and holds the advantage in their personal record six matches to three, securing victories in both the games they've played on an covered hard surface.
But … this is the surface on which the Canadian has won the majority of his titles, he’s riding a high after his impressive recovery against Ben Shelton on recently and he defeated Zverev in the US Open third round 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 Auger-Aliassime's benefit.
If Zverev holds back, as he did against the Italian, and Auger-Aliassime takes it to the European player with his effective service game and bold strategy, there is a strong chance the young Canadian – the former prodigy who was once in line in front of the younger champions to take over from the Big Three – who earns the questionable privilege of facing the global leader the next day.
The match starts: at around 20:30 in the host city, 7.30pm GMT.
