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Introduction

The typical complications of tournament pool play mean during this phase of the ATP Finals viewers are commonly confused, scrambling about for a calculator and trying to work out the complex qualification scenarios. However this evening's contest between Alexander Zverev and Felix Auger-Aliassime, thankfully, is straightforward. It's a direct elimination: the winner earns a final four contest against Carlos Alcaraz at this season-ending event; the unsuccessful competitor heads out.

The German is the frontrunner for this: the elite athlete is the more accomplished player, has previously won at this event previously on two instances and holds the advantage in their personal record 6-3, securing victories in both the games they've played on an covered hard surface.

But … this is the surface on which the Canadian has won the majority of his titles, he is in great form after his impressive recovery against Shelton on recently and he eliminated the German in the US Open early stage in August. Plus, the playing speed is higher in Turin than at Flushing Meadows, which provides an additional advantage in AA’s favour.

If the German player is reserved, like he was against Sinner, and Felix aggressively challenges the German with his powerful serves and confident shots, it might very well be the 25-year-old Canadian – the former prodigy who was once in line in front of the Spanish and Italian stars to replace the legendary trio – who secures the dubious honour of playing against the global leader tomorrow.

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