An Advantage Set is a traditional tennis scoring format that requires players to win six games with a two-game margin to claim the set.
Unlike modern tiebreak sets, this classic system can lead to extended play since the set continues until one player achieves the required two-game advantage.
How Tennis Games are Scored
Professional tennis matches follow a structured scoring system. Each match consists of two or three sets, with players needing to win two sets in best-of-three matches or three sets in best-of-five matches.
Each set is divided into games, with players needing to win six games to claim a set. Within each game, points are scored using a unique sequence: 0 (love), 15, 30, and 40.
A player must win four points to secure a game, though they must win by a two-point margin. If both players reach 40 (deuce), one player must win two consecutive points to claim the game.
The first player to win six games with a two-game advantage wins the set. If players reach 6-6, most modern tournaments use a tiebreak system to determine the set winner, though some events still use advantage sets where play continues until a two-game margin is achieved.
Where Does Advantage Set Applies
The advantage set format has evolved differently across major tennis tournaments. While the United States Tennis Association and Australian Open have eliminated this scoring system, it remains in use at specific events and situations.
The Fed Cup and French Open continue to use advantage sets in both men’s and women’s singles competitions. In these events, players must win six games with a two-game lead to claim the set. Unlike tiebreak sets, play continues until this margin is achieved.
Wimbledon employs a hybrid system:
- First two sets use standard tiebreak rules
- Final set follows advantage set rules until 12-12
- At 12-12, a seven-point tiebreaker determines the winner
In three-set matches using advantage sets, players must win two sets to claim victory. This format can lead to significantly longer matches compared to standard tiebreak sets, as there’s no predetermined endpoint to each set until a player achieves the required two-game advantage.