Amateur player stuns Jannik Sinner on way to 1 Point Slam title — and $1 million — at Australian Open event – Chicago Tribune
MELBOURNE, Australia — A little-known local amateur player beat Jannik Sinner and became an Australian dollar millionaire after winning the 1 Point Slam Wednesday at the Australian Open pre-tournament event.
It was a life-changing day for Jordan Smith at Rod Laver Arena, with the event including top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz.
All matches lasted just one point in a knockout stage that included men and women, professionals and amateurs, as well as celebrities like Taiwanese pop star Jay Chou, who was eliminated without touching the ball after an ace by Petar Jovic.
Smith emerged triumphant from a state qualifying event to take home the winning prize of A$1 million, or approximately $670,000.
The Australian won on the third shot of the final when Joanna Garland, the women’s No. 117 from Taiwan, sent a two-handed backhand wide.
Garland had a serve that was decided by playing rock, paper, scissors. Not that serving is always an advantage.
Sinner lost her point in the third round against Smith, scoring her serve.
It was the same for Coco Gauff against Donna Vekić while Frances Tiafoe sent her serve to Iga Swiatek too long – mishaps which provoked giggles and giggles from the players involved.
Garland lost in Australian Open qualifying this week, but moved past the 1-point bracket at the Slam by beating Alexander Zverev and Nick Kyrgios, as well as Maria Sakkari and Vekić. Sakkari had eliminated Alcaraz.
The Australian Open begins on Sunday.
