In a stunning display of resilience, Fran Jones, the British No. 3, overturned a challenging start to defeat Austria’s Sinja Kraus in the second round of the WTA 250 ASB Classic held in Auckland on Wednesday. After losing nine out of the initial ten games, Jones found her footing to rally back and secure a 1-6, 6-4, 6-1 victory, marking her advancement to the quarter-finals and her fourth career appearance at this stage in a tour-level event.
Jones’ ability to claw back from a set and a break down showcased her tenacity, particularly following her remarkable upset against second-seed American Emma Navarro in the previous round. That match not only represented her first victory against a Top 20 player but also solidified her status as one of the rising stars in women’s tennis.
With her latest triumph, it is expected that Jones will break into the top 70 of the WTA rankings for the first time in her career if she manages to overcome Wang Xinyu, the seventh seed from China, in the quarter-finals. Wang advanced after securing a straight-sets victory over Mexico’s Renata Zarazua, winning 7-5, 6-4.
Additionally, Jones is not alone in her quest for success in the tournament; her fellow British players Katie Boulter and Sonay Kartal are also vying for quarter-final spots. Boulter is set to face the tournament’s top seed, Elina Svitolina, while Kartal will compete against German player Ella Seidel on Thursday. Should both emerge victorious, they would encounter each other in the next round.
In another intriguing second-round match, the third seed Iva Jovic from the United States delivered a strong performance against fellow teenager Sara Bejlek from the Czech Republic. Jovic secured her place in the quarter-finals with a tightly contested scoreline of 7-6(3), 6-4. She will now face Belgium’s Sofia Costoulas, who advanced decisively past American qualifier Kaitlin Quevedo with a commanding 6-2, 6-0 victory.
As the tournament progresses, the competitiveness among the rising stars in women’s tennis continues to captivate fans, with Jones, Jovic, and their compatriots aiming to further their careers and make a mark in Auckland.
