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Overview

The typical complications of tournament pool play typically lead to during this phase of the season-ending championships fans frequently find themselves puzzled, hastily looking for a computing device and attempting to calculate the mind-boggling qualification scenarios. However today's game between Zverev and Auger-Aliassime, thankfully, is easy. This is a winner-takes-all affair: the winner sets up a semifinal battle against Carlos Alcaraz at this year-end tournament; the loser goes home.

Zverev is the favourite for this: the third-ranked player is the more experienced competitor, has previously won at this tournament on two prior occasions and holds the advantage in their personal record six matches to three, winning both their past encounters on an covered hard surface.

However … this particular court on which the Canadian has won most of his championships, he’s riding a high after his compelling comeback against Shelton on Wednesday and he took out the German in the US Championships early stage in August. Plus, the playing speed is higher in Turin than at Flushing Meadows, which is even more beneficial in the Canadian's favor.

Should Zverev be cautious, as he did against Sinner, and Felix aggressively challenges the European player with his powerful serves and fearless play, it could well be the North American athlete – the earlier standout who was earlier slated ahead of the younger champions to replace the legendary trio – who secures the questionable privilege of competing with the global leader the next day.

The match starts: at about 8.30pm local time, 7.30pm GMT.