AUCKLAND — In a gritty, rain-interrupted battle that tested both skill and nerve, Britain’s Francesca Jones opened her 2026 season by securing the biggest win of her career, stunning world number 15 and top seed Emma Navarro 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-3 in the second round of the ASB Classic.
The victory, achieved over two days due to persistent weather delays, marks a monumental milestone for the 25-year-old from Leeds. Ranked World No. 148 entering the tournament, Jones had never before defeated a player inside the world’s top 20. Her previous best win came against a then-World No. 27. This triumph against Navarro, a recent Grand Slam quarterfinalist and one of the tour's most consistent performers, signals a dramatic shift in Jones’s trajectory.
A Match of Patience and Persistence
The contest was a masterclass in resilience. Jones seized the first set with aggressive returning, breaking Navarro’s serve twice. However, the American fought back in the second, capitalizing on a dip in Jones’s first-serve percentage to force a tie-break, which she claimed. Play was suspended with the match poised at one-set-all, forcing Jones to sleep on the tension of a decider against a vastly higher-ranked opponent.
Returning on Thursday to a clearer sky but immense pressure, Jones displayed remarkable composure. She broke Navarro’s serve early in the third set and never relinquished her lead, saving three break points in a crucial seventh game. She sealed the match with a confident forehand winner, dropping her racket and covering her face in disbelief as the magnitude of the achievement sunk in.
In her post-match press conference, an emotional Jones reflected on the rollercoaster nature of the win. “It feels incredible, honestly,” she said. “Emma is such a tough competitor, she doesn’t give you anything. I knew I had to go out there today and just fight for every single point. To get over the line… it’s a huge confidence boost.”
Overcoming More Than Just an Opponent
Jones’s journey to this moment has been defined by extraordinary perseverance. Born with a rare genetic condition, Ectrodactyly Ectodermal Dysplasia (EED), she has three fingers and a thumb on each hand and three toes on each foot. Medical professionals once told her a career in professional tennis was improbable. Yet, through customized training and sheer force of will, she has carved her path on the WTA Tour.
Her career has been a series of hard-fought battles, often in the qualifying rounds of major tournaments. This win in Auckland represents not just a ranking breakthrough, but a validation of her lifelong defiance of the odds. The key elements of her game that shone against Navarro included:
- Relentless Court Coverage: Jones used her exceptional footwork and anticipation to extend rallies.
- Precise Depth: She consistently landed her groundstrokes deep, denying Navarro easy attacking angles.
- Mental Fortitude: The overnight delay could have been debilitating, but she returned focused and determined.
Navarro, gracious in defeat, acknowledged the challenge Jones presented. “Fran played a great match. She didn’t make it easy for me at all,” the American stated. “She was super solid, moved incredibly well, and served smart in the big moments today. All credit to her for how she handled the conditions and closed it out.”
What This Victory Means
The ramifications of this win are significant for Jones’s 2026 campaign. By reaching the quarterfinals in Auckland, she is guaranteed valuable ranking points that will propel her closer to the top 100, easing access to main draws of larger WTA events and Grand Slams. Perhaps more importantly, it provides tangible proof that she can compete with and defeat the elite of the women’s game.
This victory is a testament to the work done with her coaching team during the off-season, focusing on adding more power to her serve and maintaining aggressive intent throughout matches. It also highlights the unpredictable magic of early-season tournaments, where players like Jones can catch established stars still finding their rhythm.
Looking Ahead
In the quarterfinals, Jones will face another formidable challenge in the form of China’s Qinwen Zheng, the World No. 8 and second seed. It presents an immediate opportunity to build on her momentum and cause another seismic upset. Regardless of that result, the narrative around Francesca Jones has irrevocably changed.
She is no longer just an inspirational story of overcoming physical adversity; she is now a certified giant-killer on the WTA Tour. Her performance in Auckland sends a powerful message to the tennis world: Francesca Jones has arrived, and her biggest win is likely just the beginning of a new, exciting chapter. As she put it herself, “This shows me the level is there. Now the job is to find it week in, week out.”