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 A
set consists of a sequence of games played
with service alternating between games, ending
when the count of games won meets certain
criteria. The players also swap ends after each odd-numbered game.
The score of games within a set is counted
in the ordinary manner, except that a score of zero games is read as "love".
The score is written using digits separated by a dash. The score is announced,
by the umpire or server, at the start of each game.
All four combinations of serving player/team and ends are
thus rotated through. In doubles, service also alternates within each team,
and service reception alternates within the receiving team between points.
Traditionally, the set is won by the first player to have
won at least six games and at least two games
more than their opponent. More commonly, when the score is tied at 6-6 (each
player having won six games), a special tie-breaker
game is played and the winner takes the set
by 7-6. Where the tie-breaker system is employed for 6-6 sets, in some cases
the final set of a match is played without the tie-breaker, with games
continuing until one player/team has one two more games
than their opponent.
In a tie-breaker game, points
are counted using ordinary numbering, with zero read as "zero",
and the game is won by the first player to
have won at least seven points and at least two points more than their opponent.
In the tie-breaker game, The first point is
served by the player who is next to serve. That player only serves one serve
from the right, or "deuce" court.
The opponent then serves the next two points starting from the left, or "ad"
court. Service alternates after every two
points, and sides are changed every six points.
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