Francesca Jones has emotional win over Venus Williams in Miami – Tennis Now
By Eric Guderis Thursday, March 19, 2026
Photo credit: Miami Open, photo by Itau
for Francesca Jonesthis is a breakthrough victory. for Venus Williamsthis was another early exit in her singles comeback.
British player Jones, currently ranked 93rd in the world, defeated former world number one Williams 7-5, 7-5 in the first round of the WTA 1000 Miami Open.
After the match, Jones celebrated the thrilling victory, her first at the WTA 1000 level, by hugging the 45-year-old Williams at the net. Still in shock from the victory, Jones told Williams that a poster of the seven-time Grand Slam singles champion still hangs on the walls of her childhood home.
Williams graciously wished Jones good luck in the remainder of the tournament.
Jones, who is ranked as high as 65th in the world, was born with a rare genetic disorder, ectodermal dysplasia of the external digit (EED) syndrome. She lost a finger and three toes on each hand while competing on tour, a condition that required frequent surgeries over the years.
Jones said in her post-match interview that she was impressed by Venus and serena williams After watching them play at Wimbledon at the age of five, she stuck with her chosen sport.
Williams is a three-time champion of the event and received a wild card into this year’s event. With the loss, she now sits at 0-6 on the season. When she returned to Washington, D.C., last summer, she won her only singles title. Payton Stearns.
The two sets were very competitive. The two sides played back and forth in the first set, with Jones leading 5-5 at the end of the set. Williams made a backhand error and got a chance to break serve.
When Williams missed another backhand, Jones held serve at 7-5.
Williams led 2-0 in the second set. However, Jones soon tied the score at 2-1. Williams then had multiple break points on Jones’ serve and looked set to take the set and force a decider.
The 25-year-old Jones fought hard, and soon Williams hit a long forehand to break serve again at 6-5. Jones ultimately won 7-5, 7-5.
Jones will next face the fifth seed Jessica Pegula In the second round.
