Oakland Classic: Francesca Jones defeats Emma Navarro for the biggest win of her career

The performance was a clear sign that Jones has the ability — and belief — to build on the best season of her career in 2025.

Entering the top 100 in the world last year was a huge reward for a player who has continued to persevere, despite suffering from a series of physical problems related to a rare genetic condition.

Jones was born with ectodermal dysplasia (EEC), which means she has three fingers and a thumb on each hand, three toes on her right foot and four toes on her left foot.

Doctors asked the Yorkshire-born player to forget about playing professional tennis, but she continued to overcome the difficulties.

Last season, Jones considered retiring if she did not achieve her goals. Instead, she enjoyed the most productive season of her career to date.

Jones won the biggest title of her career at the WTA 125 tournament – the tier below the main tour – in July, then earned a second victory at that level to move into the top 100.

In August, she earned her first appearance in the main draw of the US Open by going through three rounds of qualifying as the top seed.

Now Jones is on the cusp of the world’s top 70 for the first time after defeating Navarro, and she will rise even higher if she beats Austrian Sinja Krause, ranked 108, in the second round of the ASB Classic.