The Australian Open has been given permission by the grand slam board to implement a decisive super tiebreak (first to 10 points instead of seven, win by two) at 6-6 in a final set, perhaps as soon as for the 2019 event.
No decision has been finalized. Australian Open tournament directors are reportedly in favor of the change from playing out entire final sets, while various players are being consulted on the matter.
If the change is confirmed, all four Grand Slams would feature a different method of concluding final sets:
Australian Open – Super tiebreaker at 6-6
French Open – No tiebreaker
Wimbledon – Traditional tiebreaker at 12-12
U.S. Open – Traditional tiebreaker at 6-6
Australian Open granted approval to use a "super tiebreak" to 10 points at 6-6 in final sets. Could be introduced as soon as 2019. If it is, all slams different:
French Open – No tiebreak
Wimbledon – Tiebreak to 7 at 12-12
US Open – Tiebreak to 7 at 6-6 https://t.co/dwLbfZnzdR— Stuart Fraser (@stu_fraser) December 4, 2018
"No decision has been made" yet on whether the Australian Open will use a deciding-set super tiebreaker https://t.co/tLjA6hwT0n
— Christopher Clarey 🇺🇸 🇫🇷 🇪🇸 (@christophclarey) December 5, 2018
Wimbledon announced its change earlier this fall after the 2018 Championships featured plenty of marathon final sets. Kevin Anderson beat John Isner 26-24 in the first semifinal, while Novak Djokovic outlasted Rafael Nadal 10-8 in the fifth in a match that got pushed from Friday night into Saturday. Isner, of course, also won the longest match in tennis history 70-68 in the fifth over Nicolas Mahut in the 2010 first round.
The most memorable match of this season’s Australian Open saw Simona Halep battle past Lauren Davis 4-6, 6-4, 15-13 during third-round action.
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