A US Open match can be over in straight sets—or stretch across five sets, with a deciding-set tiebreak that keeps the finish close. The basic scoring is familiar, but the format differs by event, and a few rules explain why matches can turn tense so quickly.
How singles matches are scored
Men’s singles matches are best of five sets: the first player to win three sets wins the match. Women’s singles matches are best of three: the first player to win two sets takes it. “Best of” means the match ends as soon as one player reaches the required number of sets; nobody has to play all five or three.
| Event | Match format | Sets needed to win |
|---|---|---|
| Men’s singles | Best of five sets | 3 |
| Women’s singles | Best of three sets | 2 |
| Men’s and women’s doubles | Best of three sets, with a 10-point match tiebreak instead of a full third set | 2 sets, or 1 set plus the match tiebreak |
So a men’s singles score of 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, 7-5 means the winner took three sets to one. A women’s match with the same first two set scores would be decided by the third set.
Games, sets and tiebreaks
A player usually needs to win six games to take a set, and must lead by two games. That means 6-4 wins the set, while 6-5 does not: play continues until someone leads by two, or the score reaches 6-6.
At 6-6, the US Open uses a tiebreak in every set. The first player to reach seven points wins it, but must be ahead by at least two. At 6-6 in the tiebreak, play continues until someone earns that two-point margin. A tiebreak won 7-4 gives the set score of 7-6.
This applies to the deciding set as well. In men’s singles, for example, if the players are tied at two sets apiece and reach 6-6 in the fifth, they play a longer, 10-point tiebreak. The first to 10 points wins, again by two. Women’s singles uses the same 10-point tiebreak if its third set reaches 6-6. The rule gives players a clear finish rather than allowing a deciding set to continue indefinitely.
What happens inside a game?
Points in a standard game are called love, 15, 30 and 40. If both players reach 40, the score is deuce. From there, a player needs to win two points in a row: the first earns advantage, and the next wins the game. If the player with advantage loses the next point, the score returns to deuce.
Players alternate serving games. Holding serve means winning the game while serving; breaking serve means winning a game against the opponent’s serve. A break can be especially important in a set without a tiebreak, but at the US Open a 6-6 score leads to the tiebreak instead.
How the singles draw works
The main singles draw has 128 players, including seeded players, qualifiers and wild cards. The draw is a knockout: lose a match and you are out. The champion normally has to win seven matches, from the first round through the final. The same number of rounds applies to the men’s and women’s singles events.
There are 32 seeds in each singles draw. Seeding is intended to keep the highest-ranked players apart in the early rounds, though it does not guarantee that they will reach the later stages. Players who enter through qualifying have to win three matches there just to earn a place in the main draw. A qualifier then faces the same main-draw format as everyone else.
The longer men’s format changes the demands of that route. Winning a best-of-five match can require more physical and mental stamina, particularly over several rounds. Players may adjust their tactics as a match develops: a big server might seek quick points to conserve energy, while a strong returner may try to extend rallies and test an opponent’s movement. In a best-of-three match, there is less time to recover from a slow start, so an early break can carry extra weight.
Doubles and mixed doubles
Men’s and women’s doubles are generally best of three sets. If the teams split the first two sets, a 10-point match tiebreak decides the match instead of a full third set. In that tiebreak, the first team to 10 points with a two-point lead wins. It is a format that can make doubles finishes especially sharp: a couple of well-placed returns or one missed volley can quickly swing the result.
Mixed doubles has used a special, shortened championship format at recent US Opens, rather than simply copying the regular singles or doubles format. Its scoring and event setup can differ by year, so check the current tournament rules if you are following that competition. The same is true of other specialist events, whose formats may not match the headline singles rules.
Why the format matters to fans
When watching, keep an eye on the score in sets as well as games. A player who loses a close set 7-6 is still only one set down, but may have spent a long time under pressure. In a men’s match, there is also the possibility of a fourth or fifth set; in women’s singles, a player who wins the first two sets has finished the match.
The tiebreak adds its own tactical shift. Players serve in a set order, and every point matters more because there is no game sequence to settle into. A strong first serve can be valuable, but a player who rushes a return or goes for too much on a second serve can hand over a crucial mini-break. At 6-6 in the deciding set, the 10-point target gives both players room to recover from a point or two behind—but only if they can stay composed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are US Open men’s matches best of five sets?
Yes. Men’s singles is best of five, so a player must win three sets. Men’s doubles is best of three, with a 10-point match tiebreak replacing a full third set if the teams split the first two.
Are women’s singles matches best of three?
Yes. Women’s singles is best of three sets, and the first player to win two sets wins the match.
What happens at 6-6 in a US Open set?
A tiebreak is played. It is usually first to seven points by a margin of two. If the deciding set reaches 6-6, the singles match is decided by a 10-point tiebreak, also won by two.
How many matches does a singles player need to win the US Open?
A player in the 128-person main draw normally needs seven wins to become champion. A player who comes through qualifying must first win three qualifying matches to reach that draw.
Final Thoughts
The simplest way to remember the US Open format is: men’s singles is best of five, women’s singles is best of three, and every set uses a tiebreak at 6-6. The deciding-set tiebreak goes to 10 points, while doubles has its own match-tiebreak rules. Once you know those basics, it is easier to follow the stakes of every game—and see why a match can change in just a handful of points.
