match point

American  

[mach point, mach point] / ˈmætʃ ˈpɔɪnt, ˈmætʃ ˌpɔɪnt /

noun

1. (in tennis, squash, handball, etc.) the point that if won would enable the scorer or the scorer's side to win the match.

2. Duplicate Bridge. a scoring unit consisting of one point awarded to a partnership for each opposing partnership whose score they better on a hand and of one-half point for each opposing partnership whose score they equal.

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match point British  

noun

1. sport the final point needed to win a match

2. bridge the unit used for scoring in tournaments

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Etymology

Origin of match point

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

match point

On court, Noskova had to fight back from match point down in her third-round encounter against Romania's Sorana Cirstea.

From BBC ● Jul. 11, 2026

To add to the drama, Muchova slipped when she had the chance to convert her first match point, and Gauff produced a clean cross-court winner to cling on.

From BBC ● Jul. 9, 2026

After receiving a warning for a time violation, a frustrated Muchova lofted a backhand beyond the baseline and gifted Gauff the first match point.

From BBC ● Jul. 9, 2026

With a place in the showpiece in sight, an advancing Muchova slipped dramatically and Gauff saved the match point with a cross-court forehand winner.

From BBC ● Jul. 9, 2026

Citra watched, feeling almost detached, as if this were a tennis match and it was match point.

From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman