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Introduction

The occupational hazards of group stage tennis typically lead to during this phase of the ATP World Tour Finals fans frequently find themselves scratching our heads, scrambling about for a calculator and trying to work out the mind-boggling qualification scenarios. Yet this evening's contest between Alexander Zverev and Auger-Aliassime, thankfully, is easy. It's a direct elimination: the victor secures a semifinal matchup against Alcaraz at this championship finale; the defeated player heads out.

Zverev is the favourite for this: the world No 3 is the more accomplished player, has been the champion at this tournament twice before and leads their head-to-head 6-3, securing victories in both their past encounters on an indoor hard court.

However … this particular court on which Felix has secured the majority of his titles, he is in great form after his impressive recovery against Ben Shelton on midweek and he eliminated the German in the US Open early stage in August. Furthermore, conditions are faster in Turin than at Flushing Meadows, which works even more in Auger-Aliassime's favour.

If the German player is reserved, similar to his performance against Sinner, and the Canadian presses the German with his effective service game and bold strategy, it might very well be the North American athlete – the earlier standout who was earlier slated before Alcaraz and Sinner to succeed the legendary trio – who earns the questionable privilege of playing against the world No 1 the next day.

The match starts: at about 8.30pm local time, 19:30 Greenwich Mean Time.