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Preamble

The occupational hazards of group stage tennis typically lead to by this stage of the season-ending championships we’re often left scratching our heads, scrambling about for a computing device and striving to determine the mind-boggling permutations of qualification. However this evening's contest between Zverev and Auger-Aliassime, fortunately, is easy. This is a winner-takes-all affair: the successful player sets up a final four battle against Carlos Alcaraz at this season-ending event; the loser is eliminated.

Zverev is the favourite for this: the world No 3 is the more accomplished player, has previously won at this competition previously on two instances and is ahead in their direct encounters with six victories against three defeats, having won both the games they've played on an enclosed hard court.

Yet … this type of playing field on which Auger-Aliassime has claimed most of his championships, he is full of confidence after his remarkable turnaround against Shelton on recently and he defeated the German in the US Championships early stage in late summer. Additionally, the playing speed is higher in the host city than at the US Open venue, which is even more beneficial in Auger-Aliassime's benefit.

Should Zverev be cautious, like he was against the Italian, and the Canadian presses the European player with his stinging serves and confident shots, it might very well be the 25-year-old Canadian – the one-time phenom who was earlier slated ahead of the younger champions to take over from the tennis icons – who obtains the uncertain distinction of facing the global leader tomorrow.

The match starts: at approximately 8:30 PM in Turin, 7:30 PM in the UK.