match point

noun

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

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 on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
After racing to his right and hitting a crushing forehand winner on match point, Carlos Alcaraz fell to the ground and lay on his back in Rod Laver Arena. Adam Zagoria, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026 In the last game, Sabalenka served an ace on break point and clinched it with another ace on match point. John Pye, Baltimore Sun, 28 Jan. 2026 Keys had won her previous 10 matches at Melbourne Park, during which time her ability to raise her level when behind was arguably her defining quality — most notably when down match point on Iga Świątek’s serve in last year’s semifinal. Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026 Danilović calmly served out, clinching it in 2 hours, 17 minutes when a Williams forehand clipped the net and landed just wide of the line on match point. John Pye, Chicago Tribune, 18 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for match point

Word History

First Known Use

1921, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of match point was in 1921

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Match point.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/match%20point. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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