NOTTINGHAM — British wild card Francesca Jones saw her hopes of consecutive quarter-final appearances at the Rothesay Open Nottingham dashed on Wednesday, falling to a straight-sets defeat against Ukraine’s Anhelina Kalinina.
The 23-year-old, who reached the last eight in Nottingham last year, struggled to find her rhythm against the world No. 42, losing 6-4, 6-2 in just over an hour and a half. Jones, ranked No. 260, had entered the tournament on a protected ranking due to her ongoing recovery from multiple foot surgeries.
Despite a spirited start, Jones was unable to capitalize on early break opportunities, with Kalinina’s consistency and powerful baseline game proving too much to handle. "I had my chances, but she played the big points better," Jones admitted in her post-match press conference.
A Tough Battle on Grass
Jones, known for her tenacity and fighting spirit, showed flashes of brilliance, particularly in the opening set. She broke Kalinina early to take a 2-1 lead, but the Ukrainian responded immediately, reeling off three straight games to seize control. The Brit saved three set points at 5-3 down before Kalinina eventually closed out the set.
The second set followed a similar pattern, with Jones battling hard but struggling to contain Kalinina’s aggressive play. The Ukrainian’s ability to dictate rallies with her forehand proved decisive, as she broke Jones twice to secure victory.
Key Factors in the Defeat
Several elements contributed to Jones’ exit:
- First-serve struggles: Jones landed just 52% of her first serves, allowing Kalinina to attack her second serve.
- Break point conversion: The Brit converted only 2 of 7 break points, while Kalinina capitalized on 4 of 6.
- Unforced errors: Jones committed 28 unforced errors, compared to Kalinina’s 18.
Jones, who was born with a rare genetic condition (ectrodactyly ectodermal dysplasia) that left her with only three fingers and a thumb on each hand, has long defied expectations. Her journey back to competitive tennis after multiple surgeries has been inspirational, but this loss highlights the challenges she still faces against top-tier opponents.
Looking Ahead
Despite the disappointment, Jones remains optimistic about her progress. "Every match is a step forward," she said. "I’m still building my confidence on grass, and I know my best tennis is coming." She is expected to compete in Birmingham next week, where she will look to regain momentum.
Kalinina, meanwhile, advances to the quarter-finals, where she will face either fellow Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk or China’s Yue Yuan. The 27-year-old is seeking her first WTA title of the season after a strong clay-court campaign.
British Hopes Rest Elsewhere
With Jones’ exit, British attention now turns to Katie Boulter and Harriet Dart, who remain in contention. Boulter, the defending champion, is seeded second and faces a tough test against Poland’s Magdalena Fręch. Dart, meanwhile, takes on France’s Diane Parry.
Jones’ early exit is a setback, but her resilience suggests she will bounce back. As she put it: "This is just part of the journey. I’ve come back from worse, and I’ll keep fighting." For now, Nottingham’s grass courts will see other Brits carry the flag, while Jones regroups for the challenges ahead.