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Introduction

The occupational hazards of group stage tennis often result in by this stage of the ATP World Tour Finals viewers are commonly puzzled, scrambling about for a mathematical tool and striving to determine the mind-boggling qualification scenarios. However today's game between Zverev and Felix Auger-Aliassime, mercifully, is easy. It’s a straight shootout: the successful player sets up a semi-final matchup against Alcaraz at this year-end tournament; the defeated player is eliminated.

Zverev is the predicted winner for this: the world No 3 is the more experienced competitor, has claimed the title at this competition twice before and holds the advantage in their personal record 6-3, winning both their past encounters on an indoor hard court.

However … this particular court on which Auger-Aliassime has claimed the majority of his titles, he is in great form after his remarkable turnaround against Shelton on midweek and he eliminated Zverev in the US Championships early stage in late summer. Additionally, the court pace is quicker in Turin than at Flushing Meadows, which works even more in Auger-Aliassime's favor.

Should Zverev be cautious, similar to his performance against Sinner, and Felix aggressively challenges the German with his powerful serves and bold strategy, it could well be the young Canadian – the former prodigy who was previously positioned in front of the Spanish and Italian stars to take over from the legendary trio – who secures the uncertain distinction of competing with the top-ranked player tomorrow.

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