Jones claims breakthrough French Open win after 'hardest moment of career'

Jones breaks through after 'hardest moment of career'Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Francesca Jones is ranked 102 in the worldByEmily Salley, BBC Sport journalist and Harry Poole, BBC Sport journalistPublished7 minutes agoBritain's Francesca Jones has always defied the odds to play elite-level tennis - but this season has tested her resilience like never before.On Sunday, she reached another milestone in a career that she was once told by doctors not to pursue.Jones battled back from a set and a break down to beat Brazil's Beatriz Haddad Maia 1-6 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 and reach the French Open second round - and claim her first Grand Slam match win in the process.Jones was born with the rare genetic condition Ectrodactyly Ectodermal Dysplasia (EEC) and plays with a modified racquet grip.Earlier this year, she suffered lingering concussion symptoms following a freak gym accident in which the locking mechanism on a leg-press machine failed and a 45kg weight crashed onto her head and knee."I would say this has been arguably the hardest moment of my career, this year," Jones told BBC Sport."Having clawed my way back [to win the match], it kind of makes it better."It shows that, irrespective of the difficulties and adversity, I'm still going to keep trying to play chess with myself and find a way forward."Raducanu beaten in French Open first roundPublished1 hour agoEmotional Kostyuk dedicates win to UkrainePublished4 hours agoJones had not managed to win in six first-round appearances across the four Grand Slams - although this was her first main-draw match at Roland Garros.She is unique among British players in that she grew up playing on clay, having left Bradford aged 10 to move to Barcelona, and has achieved her greatest successes on the surface.But her 2026 season has been heavily disrupted by physical issues. Forced to retire from her opening match at the Australian Open in January because of a torn muscle in her...