TENNIS / Taiwan's Garland loses '1 Point Slam' final as Jay Chou exits in 1st round

Taipei, Jan. 15 (CNA) Taiwanese tennis player Joanna Garland and Mandopop star Jay Chou (周杰倫) experienced sharply contrasting fortunes on Wednesday at the Australian Open's "1 Point Slam," exiting at opposite ends of the mixed-gender pro-am event.

The British-born Garland won one-point matches against several higher-profile opponents, including Maria Sakkari, Nick Kyrgios, Donna Vekic and Australian Open finalist Alexander Zverev, before falling at the final hurdle to Australian amateur Jordan Smith at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne.

In the 1 Point Slam, the right to serve is determined by a pre-match game of rock-paper-scissors, with no second serves allowed. Garland, currently ranked No. 117 on the WTA Tour, opted to serve whenever possible.

Smith, of the Castle Hill Tennis Club in New South Wales, became the first nonprofessional to clinch the winner-takes-all tournament and its A$1 million (US$669,740) prize purse, when Garland's backhand sailed wide on the deciding point.

Debutant Chou, meanwhile, was eliminated at the first time of asking, after failing to return a serve from Australian amateur Petar Jovic.

The 2026 edition of the event featured a 48-player draw comprising 24 professional players -- including world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz, defending champion Jannik Sinner and Naomi Osaka -- and 24 amateurs and celebrity participants.

Chou was among the celebrity wildcards invited for entertainment value. He has taken up tennis in recent years to support his son's interest in the sport and is known among fellow entertainers for his enthusiasm for the game.