Definition

Noun: - A tennis game won on the opponent's service: In tennis, a "service break" (or simply "break") occurs when the player who is receiving serve wins the game. This is a significant event because it means the server, who typically has the advantage, has lost their service game.

Usage

• The term is used specifically in the context of tennis scoring and match commentary.
• It is often shortened to "break" (e.g., "She got an early break in the first set").
• It is a countable noun (e.g., "a service break," "two service breaks").

Examples

Advanced Usage

• "To break serve": This is the verb phrase meaning to win a game against the opponent's serve, resulting in a service break.
  • She needs to break serve here to stay in the match.
• "Break point": This is the point within a game where the receiver can win the game and achieve a service break.
  • He saved two break points before finally losing his serve.

Variants and Related Words

• Break (n): The common shortened form of "service break."
  • The first break of the match came in the seventh game.
• Break of serve (n): A synonymous phrase for "service break."

Synonyms

• Break of serve: An exact synonym.
• Return break: A less common synonym, emphasizing the returner's action.

Related Phrases

• Hold serve: The opposite action, where the server wins their own service game.
  • After the service break, he immediately held serve to consolidate his lead.
• Break back: To win a service break immediately after having one's own serve broken.
  • She was broken in the previous game but managed to break back right away.

Noun

1. a tennis game won on the opponent's service