SYDNEY:

That great attention to detail is the hallmark of a great tennis tournament will come as no surprise to silversmith Paul Smith, who is responsible for crafting the trophy taken home from the Australian Open by the women's singles champion.

While the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup that has been awarded to the winner of the women's singles since 1934 stays in Australia, Sydney-based smithery W.J. Sanders produces an exact replica that leaves Melbourne with the champion.

"It's not technically an easy trophy to make," Smith told Reuters.

"It's quite simple in its design, which means you've got to be quite accurate.

"Its simple silhouette means it's a very elegant trophy. To me, it's kind of the epitome of a trophy, isn't it?"

Smith is part of a team of 10 hard at work in the back st

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