The battle for the final spot in the semifinals of the Nitto ATP Finals escalates as Alexander Zverev and Felix Auger-Aliassime prepare to face off. This pivotal match on Friday night marks the last round-robin encounter in Group Bjorn Borg, where Jannik Sinner has already secured the top position. With both Zverev and Auger-Aliassime eyeing the No. 2 seed in the group, the stakes are high, as the winner will earn the right to challenge Carlos Alcaraz, the victor from Group Jimmy Connors, on Saturday.
Historically, Zverev has an edge over Auger-Aliassime, boasting a 6-3 record in their previous nine meetings. However, the dynamics of their rivalry have shifted recently, as they have split their last six encounters evenly, three wins apiece. Notably, Auger-Aliassime triumphed in their most significant clashes, including a memorable five-set battle at Wimbledon in 2021 and their latest showdown at the U.S. Open earlier this summer, where Auger-Aliassime won 4-6, 7-6(7), 6-4, 6-4.
Auger-Aliassime’s strong performances throughout the fall season helped him secure a place in this prestigious tournament. He demonstrated impressive form, clinching the title in Brussels and reaching the finals at the Paris Masters—though he was bested by Sinner in that match. In Turin, Auger-Aliassime stands at 1-1 after a loss to Sinner and a victory over Ben Shelton.
Zverev, on the other hand, is also 1-1, with a win over Shelton and a defeat against Sinner as well. He is familiar with the heightened atmosphere of the Nitto ATP Finals, having claimed the championship twice previously. Nonetheless, Auger-Aliassime appears to be in better shape, provided he has fully recovered from the calf issue that troubled him during his match against Sinner.
As these two talented players step onto the court, fans can expect a highly competitive contest, with Zverev’s experience in this elite event facing off against Auger-Aliassime’s current momentum. With a semifinal berth on the line, both players will be eager to leave it all on the court.
