Australian Open to introduce final set tie-breaks in 2019
Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley has confirmed that a 10-point tie-break will be played to decide matches in the final set at Melbourne Park.
Australian Open chief Craig Tiley confirms a 10-point tiebreak will be played to decide matches in the final set in Melbourne 2019: 'We went with a 10-point tiebreak at six-games-all in the final set to ensure the fans still get a special finale to these often epic contests.'
— George Bellshaw (@BellshawGeorge) December 21, 2018
Many called for the Grand Slams to introduce a match tie-break in the deciding set after a Wimbledon semi-final match between Kevin Anderson and John Isner.
In a fifth-set which lasted two hours and 52 minutes, Anderson eventually found a way to edge the American 26-24.
It was the second longest semi-final in Wimbledon history as the South-African claimed a 7-6 (6) 6-7 (5) 6-7 (9) 6-4 26-24 after six hours and 36 minutes of play.
It well delayed the beginning of the second semi-final between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal as the two started their match on Friday but finished on Saturday.
The six-hour and 36-minute semi-final clearly took a big toll on Anderson -- who stood no chance against world No. 1 Djokovic in the final.
Djokovic eventually claimed the Wimbledon title but was forced to play for three days in a row -- on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
It all led to Wimbledon officials introducing a match tie-break at 12-12 in the final set.
The US Open features a regular tie-break at 6-6 in the final set, while the French Open haven't yet introduced any form of a tie-break for their event in 2019.
Also read: 2017 champion Jo Wilfried Tsonga to return to Lyon in 2019
from Tennis World USA http://bit.ly/2BA1B8F
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