Australian Open to use new scoring system

Australian Open tennis officials announced a new scoring system on Friday, with mixed doubles as the guinea pig.

For the January Grand Slam, mixed doubles matches will be played over two sets, with a tie-break game added if the match is split one set apiece.

Tennis Australia spokeswoman Lysette Shaw said the new rule, dropping a third decisive set, would speed up the game which would help television coverage at the elite level but also benefit social club players, because the length of matches would become more predictable.

''Timing is difficult with tennis. You never know how long it's going to go,'' Shaw said.