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Overview

The occupational hazards of round-robin tennis typically lead to during this phase of the season-ending championships viewers are commonly confused, scrambling about for a calculator and attempting to calculate the brain-busting potential outcomes for advancement. Yet today's game between Alexander Zverev and Felix Auger-Aliassime, mercifully, is easy. It's a direct elimination: the victor earns a semifinal matchup against Alcaraz at this season-ending event; the defeated player is eliminated.

The German is the frontrunner for this: the world No 3 is the more experienced competitor, has claimed the title at this competition on two prior occasions and is ahead in their direct encounters 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 most of his championships, he is in great form after his impressive recovery against Ben Shelton on Wednesday and he eliminated the German in the US Championships third round in late summer. Plus, the court pace is quicker in the host city than at Flushing Meadows, which provides an additional advantage in AA’s favour.

Should Zverev be cautious, as he did against the Italian, and Felix aggressively challenges the European player with his powerful serves and bold strategy, there is a strong chance the North American athlete – the earlier standout who was previously positioned in front of the Spanish and Italian stars to succeed the Big Three – who secures the uncertain distinction of facing the world No 1 on Saturday.

Play begins: at about 8.30pm local time, 19:30 Greenwich Mean Time.