Francesca Jones kicked off her 2026 season in style with the biggest win of her career over world number 15 Emma Navarro in Auckland.
The UK’s third-ranked player, currently ranked 72nd and among the top 100 in the world, won 7-5, 2-6, 6-4 after 2 hours and 23 minutes of hard work.
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It is worth noting that this is the first time Jones has played against a player ranked in the top 50 in the world on tour.
“I was really tired and it wasn’t an easy first game of the year,” Jones said after the game.
“Preparing for this season is really complicated – it’s about finding your footing. For me it’s about having the right attitude and thankfully I have that.”
Jones broke into the top 100 last year, reached two WTA Tour semifinals and won two titles at the WTA 125 level. She will be a main draw player at the Australian Open in two weeks.
She also qualified for August’s U.S. Open, her first main draw appearance in New York, helping her rise in the rankings despite physical problems related to a rare genetic disease.
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The 25-year-old was born with ectodermal dysplasia of the fingers (EEC), which means she has three fingers and a thumb on each hand, three toes on her right foot and four on her left foot.
Jones will next face world No. 108 Sinja Kraus of Austria at the Auckland Open, and a win could move him to a career-high ranking in the world’s top 70.
Katie Boulter, who has dropped to 112th in the world rankings after receiving a wild card in Auckland, will face Yuliia Starodubtseva in Tuesday’s first round.