Jones Secures Career-Defining Victory Over Navarro

Fran Jones of Great Britain has secured the most significant win of her career to date, defeating world number 15 Emma Navarro in the first round of the ASB Classic. Jones, ranked third in Britain, overcame the American second seed 7-5, 2-6, 6-4 in her inaugural match of 2026, advancing to the second round in Auckland where she will face Austrian qualifier Sinja Kraus. The British player won the first set after a crucial break of Navarro's serve following a rain delay at 5-5, then regained her lead in the third set after losing the second. Jones maintained her serve for the remainder of the match, ultimately claiming her first victory over a top-20 ranked player. Despite Navarro winning more points throughout the match, Jones expressed her gratitude and relief in a post-match interview, stating, "I'm absolutely exhausted!" Jones acknowledged the challenges of preparing for the new season and credited her team for their support. The 25-year-old, currently ranked 72nd globally, has previously reached two semi-finals on the WTA Tour, with her most recent appearance in September in Sao Paulo. Fans can stream tennis and other sports contract-free on NOW, and watch the WTA and ATP Tours live on Sky Sports in 2026.