Britain’s Fran Jones has made headlines at the WTA 250 São Paulo Open, progressing to the quarter-finals after an impressive 6-4, 7-6(6) victory over American Whitney Osuigwe. The match took place on the Maria Esther Bueno Central Court at Villa-Lobos Park and lasted just under two hours, showcasing Jones’ resilience as she battled back in the second set to secure her place in the next round.
The 6th seed admitted to struggling with consistency during her match, mentioning a series of unforced errors that allowed Osuigwe moments of opportunity. “I need to be more consistent,” Jones reflected post-match. “I made many unforced errors, which allowed the opponent to get back into the match. I hope to improve on this for the next round.”
In the upcoming quarter-finals, Jones is set to face the highly regarded No. 2 seed, Solana Sierra. The Argentine secured her spot with a commanding 6-0, 6-4 win over Brazilian wild-card Nauhany Leme Da Silva. The 15-year-old Leme Da Silva made her WTA Tour debut this week, showcasing her potential despite the defeat. She managed to break Sierra’s serve twice in the second set but could not maintain the momentum, ultimately crediting Sierra’s performance. “I have to give all the credit to Solana, who played very well,” Leme Da Silva expressed.
Another player advancing to the quarter-finals is No. 3 seed Alex Eala, who enjoyed a strong outing against Julia Riera. The Filipino player emerged victorious with a score of 6-1, 6-4. Eala, buoyed by her recent title at a WTA 125 event in Guadalajara, took control early, winning the first four games and converting all her break points in the opening set. The second set posed more challenges, with Riera fighting back, but Eala’s composure under pressure proved decisive. “I’m happy with the way I managed to deal with the situation,” Eala noted post-match.
Eala will face Indonesian player Janice Tjen in the quarter-finals. Tjen advanced after a dominant performance against Slovakia’s Martina Okalova, where she achieved a stunning 6-1, 6-0 victory in just 52 minutes, marking the fastest match of the tournament. Tjen, who is participating in only her second WTA-level event, reflected on her performance with enthusiasm, appreciating the atmosphere in Brazil.
Additionally, France’s Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah reached the quarter-finals after overcoming the Mexican qualifier Victoria Rodríguez with a score of 7-5, 6-1. She now awaits the winner between Brazilian wild-card Ana Candiotto and Hungary’s Panna Udvardy.
As the tournament progresses, fans can look forward to a thrilling slate of matches, particularly the matchup between Jones and Sierra, which promises to be an exciting clash of talent and determination.
