Amateur stuns world's best to win A$1m at Australian Open

Amateur stuns world's best to win A$1m in Melbourne Jannik Sinner is the two-time defending Australian Open champion Image caption,Jannik Sinner is the two-time defending Australian Open champion Image caption,Some of the sport's top-ranked players watched as their rivals and friends took to the court Image caption,Jordan Smith also won a grant of A$50,000 (£24,841) for the Australian tennis club he was representing Image caption,The Rod Laver Arena was packed with spectators for the Million Dollar One Point Slam Image caption,Jannik Sinner has won the past two Australian Open men's singles titles but could not beat amateur Jordan Smith Image caption,Joanna Garland's surreal day included beating three-time major finalist Alexander Zverev Image caption,A game of rock, paper, scissors was played to decide who would serve first in each match Image caption,Home favourite Nick Kyrgios jokingly smashed his racquet on the ground after losing out to Joanna Garland Image caption,Jordan Smith held his nerve in the final and said he would likely put his prize money towards buying a house Published Amateur player Jordan Smith would have been "happy winning just one point" - but walked away with A$1m (£496,835) and bragging rights over world number two Jannik Sinner as he triumphed at the Australian Open's Million Dollar One Point Slam. The innovative format offered amateur players the opportunity to win the prize money by playing a sole point against some of the sport's top talent and other famous faces. Smith was the star of the show on Rod Laver Arena, also defeating women's world number four Amanda Anisimova in front of 10,000 people. Smith faced women's world number 117 Joanna Garland in a fitting finale, after the Taiwanese 24-year-old stunned men's world number three Alexander Zverev and former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios. New South Wales state champion Smith was not the only amateur to seize his moment in the spotlight, with Queensland state champion Alec Reverente beating men's world number seven Felix Auger-Aliassime. As the two best performing amateurs, Smith and Reverente also went head-to-head to win a brand new car, with Reverente triumphing. The tournament was played in good spirits - even a racquet smash by Kyrgios following his defeat was performed in good humour - and generated genuine intrigue. Many of the beaten players, including men's number one Carlos Alcaraz, remained at Rod Laver Arena and gathered around televisions to watch the conclusion between the two unlikely finalists. Ofner loses in Melbourne after celebrating early Published6 hours ago Upsets, shocks and entertainment at Melbourne Park The opening match set the tone for the evening when tennis coach Andres Schneiter knocked out men's world number 34 Corentin Moutet. The upsets kept on coming across the quick-fire format as fellow players offered enthusiastic support from the side of the court and the crowd rallied behind the underdogs. British-born Garland, who was beaten in the first round of singles qualifying in Melbourne, appeared more stunned than anyone as she beat former women's world number three Maria Sakkari and 2024 Wimbledon semi-finalist...

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