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

After match point, he laid flat on his back on the court and immediately burst into tears.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 7, 2026

She then held her nerve in the second, recovering from being broken as she tried to serve out victory before clinching her first match point on Kalinskaya's serve.

From BBC • Jun. 3, 2026

Although she was broken while serving for the match, the 29-year-old immediately broke back to 15, converting her first match point to win 7-5 6-2 and set up a third-round tie with Daria Kasatkina.

From BBC • May 28, 2026

Huarte had four service breaks — the last being a cross-court passing shot on match point.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 25, 2026

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

From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman