Brit Jones defies odds to make AO main draw

Great Britain’s Francesca Jones has qualified for the main draw of the Australian Open after beating Lu Jia-jing 6-0 6-1 in convincing style in Dubai.

The 20-year-old from Leeds took the first set without dropping a game.

And she was dominant in her serve, winning 90 per cent of points with Lu unable to fight back.

The British No. 5 went into the game ranked 241, 40 places below Lu, but fully deserved her place on the plane to Melbourne.

Jones’s progress is impressive because she was born with a congenital condition that means she only has three fingers and a thumb on each hand, three toes on one foot and four toes on the other.

Peter Rowe

Recent Posts

US Open 2026 Women’s Day 2

Aryna Sabalenka began her quest for a third straight title at the US Open as…

9 hours ago

US Open 2026 Men’s Day 2

Carlos Alcaraz ended a four-and-a-half month injury exile with a resounding 6-4, 6-4, 6-4  defeat…

9 hours ago

Venus loses late in 26th USO appearance

Williams has lost her last 15 matches as a wild card, with her last victory dating…

19 hours ago

US Open 2026 Men’s Day 1

Novak Djokovic hit the wall as the 24-time Grand Slam winner vomited at the back…

19 hours ago

US Open 2026 Women’s Day 1

Third seed Jessica Pegula got up and running on Sunday's opening day at the US…

1 day ago

Last-gasp pullout for injured Ruud

Former finalist Casper Ruud made a last-minute pull out on Sunday as the US Open began,…

1 day ago