Star players Roger Federer and Angelique Kerber have cautiously welcomed new tie-break rules for the deciding set at the Australian Open. The year's opening Grand Slam, starting January 14, will for the first time feature an extended tie-break in the final set when the score reaches 6-6, rather than a traditional full set. But Federer, aiming for his third successive Australian Open title and seventh overall, said he was personally "a bit torn" between the options. "It might be easier because you can save energy, on the other side it is a tradition to play the advantage set," she said. Among the other Slams, Wimbledon will use final set tie-breaks at 12-12 starting from 2019, the US Open plays a traditional tie-break at 6-6 and the French Open does not use a final set tie-break.

Source: dna January 06, 2019 07:41 UTC