The state of the match (9)
I believe the answer is:
matrimony
This clue is a double definition.
'the state' is the first definition.
(matrimony is a kind of state)
'the match' is the second definition.
(thesaurus)
'of' is the link.
(Other definitions for matrimony that I've seen before include "State of being married" , "wedding ceremony" , "The state of wedlock" , "Nuptials" .)