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Introduction

The occupational hazards of tournament pool play often result in during this phase of the ATP World Tour Finals we’re often left scratching our heads, scrambling about for a calculator and trying to work out the mind-boggling potential outcomes for advancement. However tonight’s match between Zverev and Auger-Aliassime, mercifully, is easy. This is a winner-takes-all affair: the successful player secures a semi-final matchup against Alcaraz at this season-ending event; the defeated player is eliminated.

The German is the frontrunner for this: the third-ranked player is the player with greater achievements, has been the champion at this competition previously on two instances and holds the advantage in their personal record 6-3, having won both the games they've played on an covered hard surface.

However … this particular court on which Auger-Aliassime has claimed most of his championships, he is in great form after his compelling comeback against Shelton on recently and he took out Zverev in the US Open early stage in late summer. Furthermore, conditions are faster in the host city than at the US Open venue, which works even more in AA’s favour.

If the German player is reserved, like he was against the Italian, and Auger-Aliassime takes it to the German with his effective service game and bold strategy, it might very well be the young Canadian – the earlier standout who was previously positioned ahead of the Spanish and Italian stars to take over from the legendary trio – who secures the dubious honour of competing with the global leader on Saturday.

Play begins: at around 20:30 in the host city, 19:30 Greenwich Mean Time.