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Preamble

The typical complications of group stage tennis often result in during this phase of the ATP World Tour Finals viewers are commonly confused, hastily looking for a computing device and attempting to calculate the mind-boggling qualification scenarios. But tonight’s match between Zverev and Auger-Aliassime, thankfully, is straightforward. It's a direct elimination: the victor secures a semifinal battle against Alcaraz at this season-ending event; the defeated player goes home.

Zverev is the favourite for this: the elite athlete is the more accomplished player, has been the champion at this tournament on two prior occasions and is ahead in their direct encounters six matches to three, securing victories in both the games they've played on an covered hard surface.

But … this is the surface on which Felix has secured the bulk of his trophies, he is in great form after his remarkable turnaround against Ben Shelton on midweek and he took out the German in the US Championships early stage in late summer. Furthermore, the playing speed is higher in Turin than at the US Open venue, which is even more beneficial in the Canadian's benefit.

If Zverev holds back, similar to his performance against the Italian, and Felix aggressively challenges the European player with his stinging serves and confident shots, it could well be the young Canadian – the former prodigy who was previously positioned before the Spanish and Italian stars to take over from the legendary trio – who obtains the dubious honour of playing against the top-ranked player tomorrow.

Action commences: at approximately 8:30 PM in Turin, 7:30 PM in the UK.