Francesca Jones Loses Thriller at Nottingham Open After Missing Match Points
En resumen
- Francesca Jones was defeated by Talia Gibson in the Nottingham Open first round after failing to convert two match points.
- Jones lost 6-3 5-7 7-6 (7-4) in a three-hour match, despite a strong comeback.
Resumen generado por IA
Por qué importa
Francesca Jones narrowly lost her first-round match at the Nottingham Open to Talia Gibson after holding two match points. Other notable players like Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter withdrew from the tournament.
Britain's Francesca Jones missed two match points in a narrow defeat by Talia Gibson in the Nottingham Open first round.
Jones battled back from a set and a break down - and a medical timeout - to force a deciding set against Australia's Gibson.
After being an early break down in the third, Jones hit back and held two match points as she served for victory at 5-3.
However, world number 66 Gibson broke back and held firm in the resulting tie-break to win 6-3 5-7 7-6 (7-4) after a gruelling three hours and six minutes.
Jones showed good fight in what was the longest match of her career, hitting 15 aces and landing 75% of her first serves.
She also twice appeared in discomfort, particularly after being broken to start the second set when she sat with her head under a towel, breathing deeply.
The doctor was called to court to check her blood pressure and vitals and Jones continued, breaking Gibson back before eventually taking a tight second set.
The 25-year-old took another medical timeout at 5-5 in the third set after appearing to struggle with a nasal problem.
Earlier at Nottingham, Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen battled back to beat Maria Sakkari 4-6 7-6 (7-1) 6-4.
Queen's finalist Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter both withdrew from the tournament on Monday.
Preguntas abiertas
- What was the exact nature of Jones's nasal problem?
- Will Jones's performance impact her ranking?
