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.

---

match point British  

noun

1. sport the final point needed to win a match

2. bridge the unit used for scoring in tournaments

---

Etymology

Origin of match point

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

"Without my aces I probably would not have won today," said Zverev, who sent down 24 aces and made only one double fault, on a match point.

From Barron's

“In every match,” he liked to tell his coach at USC, “I’m always going to save one set point and I’m always going to save one match point.”

From The Wall Street Journal

But Mboko pulled back a break then saved two match points to break again and spark the crowd to life.

From Barron's

Sweeny clinched on his first match point before collapsing to the court.

From Barron's

Jacquemot fought back from a set and 5-3 down and saved a match point before securing victory after a gruelling three hours and 31 minutes.

From BBC