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Introduction

The inherent challenges of tournament pool play often result in during this phase of the season-ending championships we’re often left puzzled, hastily looking for a computing device and attempting to calculate the complex qualification scenarios. But this evening's contest between Alexander Zverev and Felix Auger-Aliassime, fortunately, is easy. This is a winner-takes-all affair: the winner sets up a semi-final matchup against Alcaraz at this championship finale; the defeated player goes home.

Zverev is the predicted winner for this: the elite athlete is the more experienced competitor, has claimed the title at this competition on two prior occasions and leads their head-to-head 6-3, having won both their previous matches on an indoor hard court.

However … this particular court on which Felix has secured most of his championships, he is in great form after his impressive recovery against Shelton on recently and he defeated the German in the US Open early stage in August. Additionally, the court pace is quicker in the host city than at the US Open venue, which works even more in Auger-Aliassime's benefit.

If the German player is reserved, similar to his performance against Sinner, and Felix aggressively challenges the German with his effective service game and bold strategy, it could well be the North American athlete – the one-time phenom who was earlier slated ahead of the Spanish and Italian stars to succeed the legendary trio – who secures the uncertain distinction of competing with the world No 1 the next day.

The match starts: at around 20:30 in the host city, 19:30 Greenwich Mean Time.