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The Coman Tiebreak Procedure

What is it?

The Coman Tiebreak Procedure is the same as the present tiebreak (set or match), except that ends are changed after the first point, then after every four points (i.e., after the 5th, 9th, 13th, 17th points, etc.), and at the conclusion of the tiebreak.  The scoring in the Coman Tiebreak Procedure is the same as a traditional set or match tiebreak, and the procedure for playing the Coman Tiebreak is the same as a set or match tiebreak. 

For example, if the Coman Tiebreak Procedure is used when the set score is 6-6, the player whose turn it is to serve shall serve the first point from the deuce court; after the first point, the players shall change ends and the following two points shall be served by the opponent(s) (in doubles, the player of the opposing team due to serve next), starting with the ad court; after this, each player/team shall serve alternately for two consecutive points (starting with the ad court), changing ends after every four points, until the end of the tiebreak game.

When will it be used?

The USTA/Midwest Section will use the Coman Tiebreak Procedure at all USTA League State and Sectional Championships in the 2006 league year for all set and match tiebreaks.  Use of the Coman Tiebreak Procedure is encouraged during local league play and District Championships.

Principal Advantages

1.  Fairness ñ By changing ends more frequently, the effects of the elements (sun, wind, etc.) are distributed more evenly between the two opponents as opposed to playing six consecutive points before changing ends.
2.  In doubles, the server will always serve from the same end of the court, rather than having to serve from both ends.

***Note: Recording the Tiebreak Score - When a tiebreak is played, the score of the set shall be written 7-6(x) or 6-7(x), with (x) being the number of points won by the loser of the tiebreak. For example, 7-6(4) mean the tiebreak score was 7-4 and 6-7(14) means the tiebreak score was 14-16. If a tiebreak set is played in lieu of the third set, the tiebreak score is recorded 1-0(y-x) with y being the number of points won by the winner of the tiebreak and x being the number of points won by the loser.
Reference Page, 2006 Friend of Court, 128-129, USTA Regulation I.V.1.d