In round-robin tournaments, the scoring system works by having each participant play against every other participant in the competition. The term "round-robin" refers to the circular and equitable nature of the format, as each player gets an equal opportunity to compete against all others in their group or pool.
The scoring system in round-robin tournaments can vary based on the sport or the specific rules set for the event. However, in tennis, the most common scoring system used is as follows:
Match Format: Each match is typically played as a best-of-three sets, with the winner being the first player to win two sets. In some tournaments, particularly for the men's ATP Tour, best-of-five set matches can be used in specific rounds or for the final.
Set Scoring: The scoring within each set is the same as in regular tennis matches. The player who wins six games first, with a margin of at least two games, wins the set. If the score is tied at 6-6, a tiebreaker is usually played to determine the winner of the set.
Tiebreaker: In some round-robin tournaments, a tiebreaker is used instead of a full third set in matches where both players have won one set each. The tiebreaker is typically played to the first player to reach seven points, with a margin of at least two points.
Points System: In a round-robin tournament, players are awarded points for their performances in each match. The points earned may vary based on the tournament's rules. For example, a player might earn three points for a win, one point for a loss, and zero points for a default or a withdrawal.
Standings: As matches are completed, players' points are accumulated, and the tournament's standings are updated accordingly. The player or players with the highest points at the end of the round-robin phase advance to the next stage of the tournament, which could be the knockout rounds or the final, depending on the tournament format.