dead rubber
n.— «In Davis Cup parlance, it’s called a “dead rubber,” which has nothing to do with the soles of the players’ sneakers. Andy Roddick having spanked Razvan Sabau in straight sets, giving the Americans an insurmountable 3-1 lead yesterday, there was still one meaningless match to play on a sun-splashed afternoon at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club.» —“Last match meaning is in eyes of beholders” by Don Norcross San Diego Union-Tribune (California) Feb. 13, 2006. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
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