A tennis match's length varies widely depending on the format, level of play, and competitiveness. Here are the key points on how long a tennis match typically lasts:

• Average duration of a set: A single tennis set usually lasts between 40 and 60 minutes, though it can be shorter or longer depending on the pace of play and whether a tiebreak is needed

• Typical match length: Most tennis matches are played as best-of-three sets, lasting around 90 minutes on average. Best-of-five set matches, common in men's Grand Slam tournaments, usually last about 2 hours and 45 minutes but can extend up to 5 hours or more in intense contests

• Professional singles matches: These generally last between 2 and 5 hours depending on the competitiveness and format. Men's matches tend to be longer due to the best-of-five format in Grand Slams, while women's matches, typically best-of-three, last between 1.5 and 3 hours

• Doubles matches: Usually shorter, averaging around 2 hours

• Shortest and longest matches: The shortest professional match recorded lasted about 18-20 minutes, while the longest ever was the 2010 Wimbledon match between John Isner and Nicolas Mahut, which lasted 11 hours and 5 minutes over three days

• Factors affecting match length: Player skill, endurance, style of play, number of rallies, and the absence of a shot clock allowing players to take variable time between points all influence match duration

In summary, a typical tennis match lasts from about 1.5 to 3 hours for most formats, with professional matches sometimes extending to 5 hours or more in exceptional cases