Amateur beats world number two Sinner as he nets million-dollar tennis prize

An amateur tennis player has netted himself a million-dollar prize after beating world number two Jannik Sinner.

Jordan Smith, 29, beat the 24-year-old on his way to claiming the jackpot at the One Point Slam in Australia. The new format allows amateurs to compete with the best players over one-point matches - with the tournament winner taking home $1m (£490,000).

Amateurs inside Melbourne Park were given two serves, but the pros only had one. Smith knocked out Sinner when the Italian's serve failed to clear the net.

The Sydney player went on to defeat British-born Taiwanese player Joanna Garland, 24, in the final. Garland - the world number 117 - reached the showdown after beating Alexander Zverev, Nick Kyrgios, Maria Sakkari and Donna Vekic.

Other big names taking part included Carlos Alcaraz, Francis Tiafoe and Daniil Medvedev. The event debuted last year but on a much smaller stage and without either the star power or the big prize pot.

The inclusion of amateurs and celebrities - Taiwanese pop star Jay Chou didn't come close to hitting a ball but had fans rushing from their seats for a glimpse - gave the event a different dimension and the nerves amid the pros were palpable, not least because they only had one serve. Read more from Sky News:New Birmingham to Manchester rail line plannedUS moves to transitional government in Gaza Sinner and Coco Gauff were among those to blow their opportunity by netting serves, with the server of each contest decided by a game of rock, paper, scissors.

The One Point Slam's higher profile comes after the US Open raised the stakes for preliminary week with a mixed doubles revamp that made headlines last year. The main draw in the Australian Open begins on Sunday.

It's extremely unlikely Sinner will be too upset by his "loss" - he's had a stellar 12 months that saw him win last year's Australian Open as well as Wimbledon..