Jamie Murray Results - Use a Match Tie-Break or Thirty30 Tennis as a 3rd set decider?
Updated: Nov 26, 2019
Since 2006, the ATP & WTA doubles events have been contested playing best of 3 sets matches, where the first 2 sets are played to 6 games (lead by 2) with a tie-break to 7 points (lead by 2) at 6-all and the deciding 3rd set is a Match Tie-Break (MTB) to 10 points (lead by 2).
e.g. Soars & Murray defeated Cabal & Farah 4-6, 6-3, 10-6.
The ‘No Ad Points’ rule is also used, i.e. a ‘sudden-death’ deuce.
Thirty30 analysed the last five ATP doubles events (May to August 2018) that Jamie Murray has competed in and noted that 13 out of the 17 matches played, i.e. 76%, went to a 3rd set deciding MTB, winning 11 out of 13 – a more than decent record!
The two charts below illustrate the “time taken per set” and the “points played per set” for the 13 3-set matches played.
Thirty30 Comment
Both charts clearly show that the 3rd set MTB is only a very small fraction of the first two sets.
The 3rd MTB set is only an average of 14 minutes out of a total of 91 minutes (15%),
and an average of 16 points (i.e. 10-6) out of a total of 131 points (13%);
The MTB is very short and can be a lottery.
The MTB is becoming more and more widely used to shorten matches.
A Thirty30 ‘Advantage Set’ (lead by 2 games) could provide a more satisfactory method of deciding a hard fought 3 (or 5) sets match.
The final set would still feel, look and sound like traditional tennis with service game holds and breaks, deuces & advantages, break points, etc.
Please try it and let me know how you get on.
Since trialling of Thirty30 was launched all over the world at the end of December 2017 it has been receiving very encouraging feedback (now 140+) and this can be found on the page link below:
https://www.thirty30tennis.com/testimonials
Thirty30 tennis – FEELS, LOOKS and SOUNDS like traditional tennis!
Thirty30 tennis – Where EVERY Point REALLY Counts!
Thirty30 tennis – Have You Tried It Yet?
An Invitation to Trial Thirty30 Tennis
Any questions? Please contact:
Mark J Milne, Arbroath, Scotland
Creator of Thirty30 tennis
