A typical tennis match consists of three sets, each of which is comprised of six individual games. A player wins the game when he or she scores four points and is at least two points ahead of the opposing player.
Scorekeepers record each individual point as 15 toward the game's win or loss. Scorekeepers always note the server's point first. A score of zero is called “love.” A tied score of one point each is expressed as 15 all, while a tie at two points is 30-all. A tie of three points each is known as a deuce.
Because players must win each game by two points, the next point in a deuce cannot win the game. The next point becomes the advantage or “ad” of the scoring player. If that same player wins the following point, he or she wins the game. If not, the score returns to deuce.
Players are required to complete all six games, though scorekeepers can name a winner only if that person has won by two games. At the completion of six games, if a player is ahead by a single game, the set continues with a tiebreaker.
Scorekeeping in a tiebreaker departs from traditional tennis scoring and defaults to simple point values of zero, one, two, and so on. The first to seven points, with a minimum lead of two points, wins the game.