match point
One away, serving
Match point is the point in tennis, badminton, or similar games that will win the match if the leading player or team scores it: She's serving at match point.
The term extends to any decisive moment where victory is within reach: We're at match point in these negotiations.
Attend to needs
- aceSingle-pip card
- rallyGathering for a cause
- volleySimultaneous firing burst
- baselineStandard for comparison
forehand · backhand · deuce · advantage · breakpoint · tiebreak · court · net
Of supreme importance
- pivotalVitally important, deciding
- criticalExpressing disapproval or importance
- clutchMechanism linking engine to gearbox
- determinantMatrix-derived scalar quantity
momentous · high-stakes · pressure · do-or-die · nail-biter · sudden death · all-or-nothing · winner-take-all
Utmost summit or spire
- culminationHighest or final point
- peakUtmost height attained
- apexUppermost point or culmination
- zenithPoint straight overhead
finale · showdown · crescendo · resolution · cliffhanger · summit · decisive moment · endgame
State of awaiting something
- suspenseAnxious uncertainty about outcomes
- nervesTense apprehension
- pressureForce upon contact
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
uncertainty · apprehension · edginess · jitters · trepidation · holding breath · on edge · heart-pounding
Resounding, celebrated victory
- winAchieve victory
- championTop competitor, or advocate
- gloryExalted honor and praise
- celebrationFestive event marking occasion
jubilation · clinching · trophy · title · conquest · exultation · fist pump · upset
serve
Attend to needs
baseline · forehand · backhand · deuce · advantage · breakpoint · tiebreak · court · net · fault
crucial
Of supreme importance
- pivotalVitally important, deciding
- criticalExpressing disapproval or importance
- clutchMechanism linking engine to gearbox
determinant · momentous · high-stakes · pressure · do-or-die · nail-biter · sudden death · all-or-nothing · winner-take-all · on the line
pinnacle
Utmost summit or spire
- culminationHighest or final point
- peakUtmost height attained
- apexUppermost point or culmination
zenith · finale · showdown · crescendo · resolution · cliffhanger · summit · decisive moment · endgame · final act
anticipation
State of awaiting something
anxiety · uncertainty · apprehension · edginess · jitters · trepidation · holding breath · on edge · heart-pounding · white-knuckle
triumph
Resounding, celebrated victory
celebration · jubilation · clinching · trophy · title · conquest · exultation · fist pump · upset · comeback
- Badmintonshuttlecock, racket, smash, serve, drop shot
- table tennis ruleslet, deuce, serve rotation, fault, obstruction
- tennisace, serve, forehand, backhand, volley
- racket sportsserve, volley, forehand, backhand, doubles
- table tennispaddle, ball, serve, net, table
- wrestlingbody slam, wrestlers, takedown, pinfall, suplex
match pointdeuce
Pair on dice
0-0 · starting position · even score · midgame · neutral position
match, matched, matching, mismatched, unmatched, matches, mismatch, point, matchmaker