Australian Open 2022: What is the 5th set tiebreaker rule?

The Australian Open recently introduced final-set tie-breaks for almost all categories of matches at the Grand Slam. In the men's singles, if both players are level on six games each in the final set, a 10-point tie-break will determine the winner.

In women's singles, and men's and women's doubles, the first couple of sets have seven-point tiebreaks while the third has a 10-point tie-break.

In mixed doubles, however, a concept called 'match tiebreaker' comes into play. Here, if both pairs have won a set each, there will be a 10-point tie-break instead of a third set to determine the winner.

The final-set tie-break was announced in December 2018 and came into action during the 2019 Australian Open.

The Melbourne Major is the only Grand Slam to deploy a 10-point tie-break in the final set.

At Roland Garros, play continues beyond 6-6 until the two players are separated by two games. At Wimbledon, a final-set tie-break comes into play when the final set is level at 12-12. And at the US Open, the final set is decided by a regular tie-break.

Six singles matches have been decided by final-set tiebreaks at 2022 Australian Open

Amanda Anisimova beat Naomi Osaka in a final-set tiebreak

So far, six singles matches have been decided by a final-set tie-break at this year's Australian Open. Two came in the men's singles event. Sebastian Korda beat France's Corentin Moutet by winning the final-set tie-break 10-6.

Arguably the most notable match decided by a final-set tie-break was that between Matteo Berrettini and Carlos Alcaraz. The Italian hurt himself in the final set but did well enough to take it to a tie-break before winning it 10-5.

Four matches in the women's singles event were decided by a final-set tie-break, including that between Naomi Osaka and Amanda Anisimova.

The American saved two match points to take the final set to a tie-break and subsequently won it 10-5 to eliminate the reigning champion. With over a week left at the Melbourne Slam, there is little doubt we will see more matches decided by final-set tie-breaks.

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Also check out: Australian Open 2022 Schedule of Play