Sydney amateur defeats Sinner to win $661,000 at Australian Open
Sydney amateur Jordan Smith stunned the tennis world Wednesday night, outlasting a field of stars to claim A$1 million (about $661,000) in the innovative "1 Point Slam" exhibition at Rod Laver Arena during the Australian Open. The New South Wales champion, who admitted he'd be "happy to win just one point," beat Australian Open titleholder Jannik Sinner, two-time Grand Slam finalist Amanda Anisimova, and world No. 117 Joanna Garland in the final to secure the top prize.
The unique sudden-death format, with its prize pot boosted from $60,000 last year, featured 48 players in single-point knockout matches. Rock-paper-scissors decided the server, with amateurs getting two serves and ranked ATP/WTA pros limited to one. World No. 2 Sinner fell to nerves, double-faulting to hand Smith victory without a rally. Top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz exited early, beaten by Maria Sakkari after botching a drop shot. "That shot, I don't know what happened," Alcaraz said later. Coco Gauff and Frances Tiafoe failed to hold serve, while six-time Grand Slam winner Iga Swiatek downed Flavio Cobolli and Tiafoe before losing to Spain's Pedro Martinez.
The night partly belonged to Garland, the British-Taiwanese player recently knocked out of Australian Open qualifiers. She thrilled the Rod Laver crowd by beating Alexander Zverev, Nick Kyrgios, Sakkari, and Donna Vekic to reach the final. Zverev, after a long rally loss to Garland, joked: "She was just better than me!" Kyrgios entertained by smashing his racket in mock fury post-elimination. In the final, Garland served after winning rock-paper-scissors, but Smith's deep return forced her forehand long, crowning the 29-year-old amateur champion.
"I can't even speak, it's incredible," Smith said courtside. "Coming in tonight, I was just happy to win a point. I was so nervous, but I loved being here; it was an awesome experience." He plans to use winnings for a house purchase. Tennis Australia director Craig Tiley called the event "tennis from grassroots to Grand Slam," showcasing the sport "at its most thrilling: one point, one chance to triumph." The Australian Open main draw starts Sunday, January 18, with Sinner defending his men's title and Madison Keys the women's.
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