Jannik Sinner Knocked Out of Australian Open Million-Dollar Event by Amateur
The One Point Slam is underway in Melbourne, Australia.
Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Jannik Sinner, Tennis, Australian Open
Marcus Chan
Topics: Jannik Sinner, Tennis, Australian Open
Jannik Sinner has been beaten by an amateur player at the One Point Slam ahead of the Australian Open.
On Wednesday, the One Point Slam got underway at Melbourne Park, with a total of 48 players taking part.
24 professional players are also in the tournament, including the likes of Carlos Alcaraz, Sinner, Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek.
There are also amateurs taking part, with the winner taking home one million Australian dollars.
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Although many expected the professionals to come through easily, world number seven Felix Auger Aliassime was beaten by an amateur.
Alec Reverente, who dispatched Auger Aliassime, fell at the next hurdle as he was beaten by WTA star McCartney Kessler.
In addition, four-time Grand Slam winner Sinner was also beaten by an amateur, in the shape of Jordan Smith.
The Italian was of course, the heavy favourite, but double faulted to hand his opponent a shock victory.
Meanwhile, former Olympic champion Alexander Zverev was beaten by Joanna Garland, who is currently ranked 117th in the WTA rankings.
The pair was involved in a long rally before Zverev sent a forehand high and wide, handing Garland a shock victory.
Speaking after the match, the German said: "She was just better than me!"
Zverev was not the only male player to lose out to a WTA star, with Fabio Cobolli and Daniil Medvedev losing to Iga Swiatek and Amanda Anisimova, respectively.
After beating Cobolli, Swiatek then took out American Frances Tiafoe.
After getting the better of Zverev, Garland took on Australian star Nick Kyrgios, the former Wimbledon finalist sent his return long, handing Garland another victory.
Jokingly, Kyrgios was seen smashing his racket on the ground before sharing a handshake with Garland at the net.
At the quarter-final stage, men's world number one Alcaraz was beaten by Maria Sakkari.
Each match will consist of a single point. A game of 'rock, paper, scissors' will decide who serves. The winner of the point will advance, it is as simple as that.
A total of 48 players start the competition, including 24 professional stars.
Eight amateur winners of state championship rounds played across Australia will also be involved, as well as eight players who qualify in Melbourne.
A further eight wildcards – including celebrities and invited personalities - make up the rest of the competition.
In the end, Smith, who beat Sinner, went on to win the event as he beat Garland in the final, securing himself one million Australian dollars.