match point

noun

|Updated on: 21 Aug 2018

Examples: match point in a Sentence

Definition of match point

: a situation (as in tennis) in which one player or side will win the match by winning the next point; also : the point itself

See match point defined for English-language learners

Examples of match point in a Sentence

He won with an ace on his second match point.
He won with an ace on match point.

Recent Examples of match point from the Web

Dayne Chalmers' serve found the net on match point, sending Newport Harbor into shock and Corona del Mar into a state of euphoria.

— andrew turner, latimes.com, "CdM boys’ volleyball repeats as champions, ends Newport Harbor’s undefeated season," 20 May 2018
The world's No. 2 ranked player was up 5–4 in the third set and had match point before the eighth–seeded Anderson rallied back to level the sets with a 7–5 victory in the third and winning 6–4 in the fourth set.

— scooby axson, SI.com, "Roger Federer Upset In Five-Set Battle vs. Kevin Anderson," 11 July 2018
One of the errors came on match point with CdM leading 24-23 in Game 2.

— andrew turner, latimes.com, "Newport Harbor boys' volleyball beats CdM to repeat as Orange County champion," 20 Mar. 2018
Always a great read, but one gripe - the junior girls final with two young Americans was a gripping and fun match that went to a third set tie breaker, multiple match points and comebacks.

— jon wertheim, SI.com, "Mailbag: Looking Back at Roland Garros," 13 June 2018
Pouille, meanwhile, saved match points on his second serve twice in the ninth game.

— USA TODAY, "Gasquet sets up all-French final vs Pouille in Montpellier," 10 Feb. 2018
Halep had to recover from a sprained ankle sustained in the first round and then fend off three match points in the third round against the unseeded American Lauren Davis before prevailing, 4-6, 6-4, 15-13.

— christopher clarey, New York Times, "Simona Halep vs. Caroline Wozniacki: One Will Finally Win the Big One," 26 Jan. 2018
Came close, though, even erasing a pair of match points in the final game.

— howard fendrich, BostonGlobe.com, "Serena Williams on the fast track to eighth Wimbledon title," 6 July 2018
Sharapova double-faulted 11 times, including on match point at 30-40 in the 10th game of the third set.

— sandra harwitt, USA TODAY, "Qualifier Vitalia Diatchenko hands Maria Sharapova rare first-round loss at Wimbledon," 3 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'match point.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of match point

1921

in the meaning defined above

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MATCH POINT Defined for English Language Learners

match point

noun

Definition of match point for English Language Learners

: a situation in tennis in which one player or team can win the match by winning the next point
: the final point that must be won to win a match in tennis