match point

[mach point, mach point]

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.

match point

noun

1. sport the final point needed to win a match

2. bridge the unit used for scoring in tournaments

Word History and Origins

Origin of match point¹

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

Tulah Block’s seventh and final kill on match point sent her teammates pouring off the bench to hug each other.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Her struggle to get over the finish line continued, forced to save two break points in her next service game, before eventually sealing victory on her second match point as Alexandrova sent a backhand long.

Read more on BBC

However, with the scores locked at 5-5, Xu managed to seal the all-important break before serving out a landmark victory on her third match point.

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Raducanu developed an unfortunate habit in Asia of failing to convert match points.

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By the time Alcaraz worked his way to match point, the outcome had felt inevitable for a while, despite Sinner saving his championship twice.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal