Overview
- Smith, a Sydney qualifier, defeated Jannik Sinner and Amanda Anisimova and then edged Joanna Garland in the final to secure the winner‑take‑all payout.
- Each match was decided by a single point with serve chosen by rock‑paper‑scissors, and amateurs received two serves while ATP and WTA players had one.
- Garland reached the final with victories over Alexander Zverev, Nick Kyrgios, Maria Sakkari and Donna Vekic before missing on the decisive backhand.
- High‑profile exits underscored the pressure, as Sinner and Coco Gauff netted serves, while Iga Swiatek beat Flavio Cobolli and Frances Tiafoe and Sakkari ousted Carlos Alcaraz.
- Tennis Australia expanded last year’s prototype into a 48‑player, 16‑seed‑bye, primetime event, setting an unpredictable stage ahead of main‑draw play beginning January 18.