At 6-6 in a US Open set, the next game can decide the set—but the deciding set has a different kind of tiebreak. That distinction is easy to miss, especially when a match is close. Here’s how the scoring works, who serves, and what players need to do to win.
When does a tiebreak happen at the US Open?
In US Open singles, a tiebreak is played when the set score reaches 6-6. In the earlier sets, it is a standard tiebreak: the first player to reach seven points wins, provided they lead by at least two.
The deciding set uses a longer tiebreak. That means the fifth set in a men’s best-of-five match, or the third set in a women’s best-of-three match. At 6-6 in that set, players play a 10-point tiebreak. The first to 10 points wins, again with a two-point lead required.
| Situation | Tiebreak target | Required margin |
|---|---|---|
| Any set before the deciding set, at 6-6 | 7 points | 2 points |
| Deciding set, at 6-6 | 10 points | 2 points |
So a player can win a regular tiebreak 7-5, or 9-7 if the score keeps going. The deciding-set breaker could finish 10-8, or stretch to 14-12. Neither type ends just because a player reaches the target number; they must also be two points ahead.
How does a US Open tiebreak work?
Tiebreak points use ordinary numbers—1, 2, 3—not the usual tennis scoring of 15, 30, and 40. The score might be called “4-3” rather than “40-30.” Every point counts toward the tiebreak total.
The player due to serve next starts the tiebreak, serving one point from the deuce court. The opponent then serves the next two points, starting from the ad court. From there, the players take turns serving two points at a time. The starting server serves the next pair, then the opponent serves the pair after that, and the pattern continues.
Players change ends after every six points have been played. That rule applies in both the seven-point and 10-point breakers. For example, they switch ends when the total is 6, 12, 18, and so on—not whenever one player wins six points.
A quick example
Suppose the first tiebreak server leads 4-3. The opponent serves the next two points. If the opponent wins both, the score becomes 4-5; if the players split them, it becomes 5-4. The serve still alternates in two-point blocks, and the players change ends once the combined point total reaches six.
In a 10-point tiebreak, the same serving order and end changes apply. Only the target score changes. At 9-9, for instance, a player must win two points in a row to finish 11-9. If they split the next two points, play continues at 10-10.
What does the final score look like?
A tiebreak counts as the final game of the set. A player who wins it takes the set 7-6. Score displays often add the loser’s tiebreak points in parentheses, such as 7-6(5), meaning the tiebreak ended 7-5. The exact notation can vary, but the set score remains 7-6.
The same set score applies when the deciding-set breaker goes to 10. A deciding set might be recorded as 7-6(8), with the parenthetical figure showing that the tiebreak finished 10-8. Scoreboards and match reports do not always display the detail in exactly the same way, so the set score alone may not tell you how close the breaker was.
Why is the final-set tiebreak different?
For many years, Grand Slam tournaments did not all use the same deciding-set rule. The US Open already used tiebreaks in its deciding sets, while other majors could require players to keep winning games until they had a two-game lead. In 2022, the Grand Slams aligned their singles rules around a 10-point tiebreak at 6-6 in the deciding set.
The longer breaker keeps the finish from becoming an endless series of games, but it still asks players to win under pressure. A single loose point does not settle it. The two-point margin leaves room for a comeback, and a 10-point target gives the players more time to adjust than a standard breaker.
What should fans watch for?
Serving order matters because the opening point is followed by two-point turns. A player who gets an early mini-run can put pressure on the opponent’s service pair, but there is plenty of time for the score to swing back. Watch where the first serve lands, whether a player chooses a safe target or goes for the lines, and how well they protect their second serve.
Returns are just as important. A returner who puts the ball deep can make the server play the next shot from an uncomfortable position, even without winning the point outright. At a tight score, players may also vary their serve direction to avoid becoming predictable. The format rewards boldness, but a low-percentage shot can hand over a point that is difficult to recover.
Remember, too, that an ordinary tiebreak and the deciding-set tiebreak have the same basic service rotation. If you know who served the opening point, you can follow whose turn it is without guessing. The target is seven in earlier sets and 10 in the deciding set.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the US Open deciding-set tiebreak first to 10?
Yes. At 6-6 in a singles match’s deciding set, the first player to reach 10 points wins if they are at least two points ahead. At 9-9, play continues until someone leads by two.
Can a regular US Open tiebreak go beyond 7 points?
Yes. Seven is the target, not a hard stop. If the score reaches 6-6 in tiebreak points, play continues until one player leads by two—for example, 8-6 or 10-8.
Do players change ends during the tiebreak?
Yes. They change ends after every six points in total. In a long breaker, they may switch ends several times.
Do the same rules apply to doubles?
Doubles scoring can differ by event and format, including whether a match tiebreak replaces a full deciding set. The singles rules above explain the US Open’s seven-point and 10-point tiebreaks; check the specific doubles event rules if you are following a doubles draw.
Final Thoughts
The key rule is simple: at 6-6, US Open singles players play a tiebreak. It is first to seven points in the earlier sets and first to 10 in the deciding set, with a two-point lead required in either case. Once you know that—and the two-serve rotation—you can follow the score and the pressure point by point.
