Zverev and Auger-Aliassime Clash for ATP Finals SF Spot

Match Preview

Battle for Glory: Zverev and Auger-Aliassime Clash for Nitto ATP Finals Semi-Final Spot

Sinner takes on Shelton in the daytime showdown

November 13, 2025

The final round-robin singles match at the Nitto ATP Finals is set to unveil the last semi-finalist, as Alexander Zverev goes head-to-head with Felix Auger-Aliassime for a coveted spot in the Bjorn Borg Group.

Jannik Sinner, already confirmed as the group champion, will face off against Ben Shelton in the afternoon session. The Italian aims to enhance his flawless record in Turin to 3-0, while Shelton seeks redemption after being knocked out of contention.

Friday will also witness a crucial doubles encounter, where Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten will battle Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic for a semi-final berth. Meanwhile, Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski, having already topped the Peter Fleming Group, will look to cap off a stellar round-robin run against American duo Christian Harrison and Evan King.

[3] Alexander Zverev (GER) vs. [8] Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN)
Zverev walked off the court after his Wednesday match against Sinner, feeling proud of his performance while lamenting missed opportunities on seven break points. In contrast, Sinner capitalized effectively on his break point chances.

“The final score was 6-4, 6-3, but I felt the match was much closer,” remarked Zverev. “We both played a very high-caliber game, especially from the baseline.”

Despite facing defeat against Sinner for the third time within 17 days, Zverev is eager for another showdown. “I hope to face him again this week… that’s my goal,” he expressed.

Building upon his impressive baseline performance against Sinner, expect Zverev to maintain that momentum and challenge Auger-Aliassime’s dominant forehand.

The Canadian kept his semi-final dreams alive with a dramatic comeback against Shelton, emerging victorious with a 4-6, 7-6(7), 7-5 triumph. This marks Auger-Aliassime’s Tour-leading 20th three-set win of the season.

Shaking off worries about a calf injury from his earlier loss to Sinner, Auger-Aliassime reported: “I felt fantastic out there. We took the necessary recovery steps and I was able to compete in a high-intensity match for two-and-a-half hours.”

With both competitors in stellar form, this high-pressure duel promises to be a memorable Nitto ATP Finals clash. The backstory is even more riveting: although Zverev leads their Head2Head 6-3, Auger-Aliassime showcased his attacking flair in their recent meeting on his way to the US Open semi-finals.

[2] Jannik Sinner (ITA) vs. [5] Ben Shelton (USA)
Despite close calls in his two wins in Turin, Sinner remains undefeated, having not lost a set or even a service game this week. His ability to excel in crucial moments has been key.

“I felt my serve was exceptional when it mattered most,” Sinner noted after fending off seven break points against Zverev, according to Infosys ATP Stats. “I tried to play at my best during critical points, and thankfully, it worked out.”

With Shelton’s powerful serve on display, this Friday’s matchup could hinge on razor-thin margins. A testament to this was Shelton’s narrow defeat to Auger-Aliassime in his earlier outing.

As Shelton faces Sinner knowing this is his last match of the 2025 season, he rated his year an impressive eight out of ten, recognizing solid gains in his gameplay, even though his performance has dipped since the US Open.

While not hitting his peak in Turin, Shelton remains optimistic, reflecting, “This week my forehand, which is usually my strongest asset, has felt off. However, I have plenty to be pleased with from this season.”

Shelton could add one more highlight to his season with an upset over the World No. 1. However, Sinner won’t vie for the ATP Year-End No. 1, which has already been secured by Alcaraz after his win against Lorenzo Musetti on Thursday.

Doubles Action
After a narrow Match Tie-break loss to Salisbury and Skupski, second-seeded Heliovaara and Patten face a must-win situation against Arevalo and Pavic. The fourth seeds survived two match points to clinch a win over American duo King and Harrison and aim to carry that momentum into the semi-finals.

With the top spot in the Peter Fleming Group locked in, fifth-seeded British pair Salisbury and Skupski will also be eyeing ATP Doubles Rankings points and prize money as they meet King and Harrison, who aim to finish their season on a winning note.