Jay Chou out early at ‘One Point Slam’ event before amateur stuns Sinner on way to winning
Mandarin pop idol among celebrity wild cards in 48-strong field for Australian Open warm-up event that also starred the top professionals
Amateur Jordan Smith sensationally upset a star-studded field to collect an A$1 million (US$670,000) prize on Wednesday by winning the pressure-packed “One Point Slam” ahead of the Australian Open.
The innovative sudden-death contest at a sold-out Rod Laver Arena pitted 24 professionals led by Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff alongside 24 amateurs and celebrity wild cards.
Each match consisted of just one point: win and you advanced, lose and you were out.
The amateur field comprised winners of eight state championship rounds played across Australia, along with eight others who came through qualifying this week.
Eight wild cards went to celebrities, including Mandarin pop idol Jay Chou. The Taiwanese star lost in the first round without hitting the ball after an ace from Victorian state champion Petar Jovic.
The 16 top-seeded professionals had first-round byes before the competition morphed into a grand slam-style knockout from the last-32 stage onwards.