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Overview

The inherent challenges of tournament pool play often result in by this stage of the ATP Finals fans frequently find themselves scratching our heads, hastily looking for a computing device and striving to determine the brain-busting qualification scenarios. But this evening's contest between Zverev and Auger-Aliassime, thankfully, is easy. It’s a straight shootout: the winner earns a semi-final contest against Carlos Alcaraz at this year-end tournament; the defeated player goes home.

The German is the frontrunner for this: the elite athlete is the more accomplished player, has claimed the title at this competition on two prior occasions and is ahead in their direct encounters 6-3, having won both the games they've played on an indoor hard court.

Yet … this type of playing field on which Auger-Aliassime has claimed the bulk of his trophies, he is in great form after his impressive recovery against Shelton on Wednesday and he defeated the German in the US Championships early stage in August. Furthermore, the playing speed is higher in Turin than at Flushing Meadows, which provides an additional advantage in the Canadian's favour.

If the German player is reserved, like he was against the Italian, and the Canadian presses the European player with his powerful serves and fearless play, there is a strong chance the North American athlete – the earlier standout who was previously positioned ahead of the Spanish and Italian stars to take over from the Big Three – who earns the uncertain distinction of competing with the world No 1 on Saturday.

The match starts: at around 20:30 in the host city, 7.30pm GMT.