Was there ever a match with zero break points on top level?

[ChrisRF]

Yesterday I asked me this question after the first set of the Federer-Raonic match, because nobody was anywhere near a break point. I thought it would go on this way, but then Federer broke right at the beginning of the second set.

I think the most famous match with no realised breaks was the QF of the US Open in 2001 between Sampras and Agassi. But there were opportunities (Sampras had 6 and Agassi 3).

So I wonder if there was a match with zero break points either in the Open Era or in notable matches before 1968. Maybe there is even an example in the women's game, but I don't think so because of the weaker serve.

 

[Warmaster]

Federer-Karlovic in Canada 2007. (Federer won 7-6,7-6)

 

[Tony48]

One out of every three of Karlovic's matches

Here are 2 of them:

Rome 2007 Q2: Massu def. Karlovic 6-7(2), 7-6(5), 7-6(0) (no break points faced)
Hamburg 2008 R1: Karlovic def. Zverev 7-6(4), 7-6(3) (no break points faced)

 

[reversef]

That's what happens when 2 big servers meet each other. Personally, I've never seen one since I don't watch those matches. Federer-Raonic? I would have to get paid to watch it.

 

[PrinceMoron]

McEnroe Gottfried Queen's Club final every point with serve until JM threw a tantrum in each set.

 

[ChrisRF]

Federer-Karlovic in Canada 2007. (Federer won 7-6,7-6)

Thank you! I didn't believe that it could be a match with Roger. Maybe I should have known that as a big fan. And no wonder that the opponent was Karlovic

I have highlights of this match in my own video archive, but no full match.

 

[Tony48]

Here's one with Isner:

Tunica Resorts 2008 QF: Ball def. Isner 7-6(4), 6-7(5), 7-6(3) no breakpoints faced

 

[Moose Malloy]

has it happened at a major?

 

[dirkgnuf]

Federer-Soderling 2006 Madrid. Fed won 7-6, 7-6

 

[Rhino]

That's what happens when 2 big servers meet each other. Personally, I've never seen one since I don't watch those matches. Federer-Raonic? I would have to get paid to watch it.

I found their match in Madrid really exciting. The tiebreak had me on the edge of my seat...

 

[Andres]

Federer-Soderling 2006 Madrid. Fed won 7-6, 7-6

Fed had 8 breakpoints. Soderling had 2.

 

[Matt H.]

has it happened at a major?

only one possible would be US Open.

 

[Mainad]

Murray-Djokovic, Cincy final 2008. Murray won 7-6,7-6 but, to be honest, I can't recall whether there were any break points or not.

 

[jokinla]

only one possible would be US Open.

You could win 6,6,6, at any of the majors.

 

[Mustard]

Has there ever been a 5-set match with 5 tiebreaks, because I don't know of a single one.

 

[dominikk1985]

Didn't it happen a lot in the 90s when they had super fast courts and big servers?

I would asume with guys like goran, pete, becker or krajicek that might have happened quite a few times.

 

[jukka1970]

Wasn't there one with Sampras at Wimbledon where he won 7-6 all 3 sets. I have to admit it's been a long time, and I honestly have no idea whether there were breaks or not, but I just remember some match where it just seemed like every time the server stepped up that the game was over within 6 points each serve. I'll have to do research to see if I can even find the match I was thinking of, but maybe this may spark someones memory.

I mean let's face it, with Sampras serving there a good chance of it happening, depending on the opponent.

 

[Andres]

Wasn't there one with Sampras at Wimbledon where he won 7-6 all 3 sets. I have to admit it's been a long time, and I honestly have no idea whether there were breaks or not, but I just remember some match where it just seemed like every time the server stepped up that the game was over within 6 points each serve. I'll have to do research to see if I can even find the match I was thinking of, but maybe this may spark someones memory.

I mean let's face it, with Sampras serving there a good chance of it happening, depending on the opponent.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Players/Sa/P/Pete-Sampras.aspx?t=pa&y=0&m=s&e=540#

The closest I find is:

Wimby 97, R64 vs Hendrik Dreekmann (GER) W 7-6(2), 7-5, 7-5

Edit: Found one: Queen's F 1995 vs. Guy Forget. 7-6, 7-6, neither faced a breakpoint

 

[Moose Malloy]

here's another one:

Haas d Delic, 2007 Memphis, 7-6, 7-6. no break points by either player.

Haas didn't face a break point the entire tournament!

 

[Rhino]

Has there ever been a 5-set match with 5 tiebreaks, because I don't know of a single one.

Obviously it was Wimbledon so the 5th had to keep going....