service break

American  

noun

Tennis.

1. an instance of a player winning a game against a server.

2. a game won against an opponent's service.

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Etymology

Origin of service break

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

That meant Rune got the point, and when he won the next one, too, he had a service break.

From Washington Times • Jun. 5, 2023

Gauff halted her briefly in the first set with a service break that cut Garcia’s lead to 4-1, and she held serve the next game, clinching it with an ace.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 7, 2022

That point gave Djokovic a valuable service break for 2-1.

From Washington Post • Jul. 5, 2022

Someone pointed out that Alcaraz was down an early service break to the reigning champion, Cameron Norrie of Britain.

From New York Times • Apr. 3, 2022

Big O'Ryan took the first set six games to three on a single service break against the Indonesian champion.

From The Ambassador by Merwin, Sam