English-born WTA prospect falls just short of $1 million at One Point Slam
MELBOURNE, Australia — While amateur Jordan Smith captured the headline-grabbing $1 million prize, it was world No. 117 Joanna Garland who authored the most compelling narrative at the Australian Open's One-Point Slam on Wednesday. Representing Chinese Taipei, the 26-year-old delivered a series of stunning upsets in the unique single-point knockout event, defeating multiple top-tier players before ultimately falling to Smith in the final.
Garland’s remarkable run through the bracket included victories over world-class opponents such as Alexander Zverev, Nick Kyrgios, and Donna Vekic. Her performance under the rapid-fire format demonstrated notable composure and skill, showcasing her ability to thrive under immediate pressure against highly ranked competition.
“I didn’t actually tell anyone I was in the event tonight,” Garland revealed with a smile after her win over Vekic, “so I just hope they’ve tuned in on TV.”
The final point saw Smith, the New South Wales amateur champion, emerge victorious after Garland sent a two-handed backhand wide. Smith’s own improbable journey included defeating Jannik Sinner and Amanda Anisimova, culminating in a life-changing payday. “I can’t even speak, that’s unbelievable,” said the 22-year-old Smith, who plans to use the prize money to invest or buy a house. “Coming into tonight, I was just happy with winning one point.”
For Garland, the event served as a bright spot in an otherwise brief trip to Melbourne. Her Australian Open campaign ended earlier in the week with a qualifying loss to Anhelina Kalinina. Nevertheless, her poised and competitive display in the One-Point Slam against elite company reinforces her potential and provides significant momentum moving forward.
The exhibition event, featuring a mix of ATP and WTA stars, amateurs, and celebrities, offered a thrilling preview to the Australian Open, which begins Sunday at Melbourne Park.
