Francesca Jones clinches first top 15 win over Emma Navarro at ASB Classic
• 2 minute read
Britain’s Francesca Jones has got her 2026 season off to a flying start – upsetting world No.15 Emma Navarro in the first round of the ASB Classic in Auckland.
Jones fought off the second seed in a three-set battle 7-5, 2-6, 6-4 in just over two and a half hours to secure her place in the second round.
The result follows Jones’s best season to date in 2025 – winning two WTA 125 titles and breaking into the top 100 for the first time.
Coming into the match, Jones had never faced an opponent ranked inside the WTA top 20 but came away with the biggest win of her career so far.
“I didn’t make it easy, to be honest,” Jones said after a tough opening round clash. “I’m really grateful for my team, I’ve been difficult the last few days. Trying to get ready for the season is always really complicated for every player.
“Emma can play a better level, everyone can play a better level, it’s about finding your feet. For me, just having the right attitude in the first match coming into the year is the most important thing, so thankfully I did that.”
Jones showed great spirit to win an opening set, which saw seven breaks of serve and a rain delay. After taking the decisive break at 5-5, the British No.3 held her nerve to serve out the first set in 66 minutes.
The Briton looked in control as she broke in the first game of the second set, but former US Open semi-finalist Navarro turned the match on it’s head by winning six of the next seven games.
Navarro’s level was much improved in the third set and the American solidified her serve, but for one brief lapse in the third game. The former world No.8 only lost seven points on serve in the set, but Jones took her opportunity at the second time of asking before seeing out a statement win.
The hard work is paying off for Jones, who has managed injuries and setbacks throughout her career, but is now playing at the top of her game.
During the off season, we spoke to Jones in an exclusive interview for LTA Advantage, where she spoke about her motivation for bigger and better things to come in 2026.
“It’s nice to see the hard work making a difference – that’s not just the work this year but an accumulation of many years, coming back from injuries, etc.
“It feels fulfilling in that sense but I’m also much more ambitious than my current situation. I’m very focused on building on that.”
Jones will now face qualifier and world No.108 Sinja Kraus in the second round. Britain’s Sonay Kartal and Katie Boulter are also set to compete in the ASB Classic this week.
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