In a stunning turn of events, Francesca Jones triumphed over Venus Williams with a score of 7-5, 7-5 in the first round of the Miami Open on Thursday afternoon. This victory marks Jones’s first win at the WTA 1000 level and breaks a four-match losing streak, coming after a difficult start to the season.

Jones, who had recently returned from an injury that sidelined her during the Australian Open, showcased her resilience by winning the last three games in both sets after trailing 4-5. The match was a testament to her mental toughness against the seasoned Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam champion and three-time Miami Open winner.

After the match, Jones expressed her admiration for Williams, sharing a warm embrace that highlighted the respect between the two players. This win sets Jones up for a challenging second-round match against the fifth seed, Jessica Pegula.

Venus Williams, at 45 years old, has faced a tough return to competition, recording her eighth loss in nine matches since her comeback. Despite her age and recent struggles, Williams remains motivated by her newfound freedom from pain after surgery in 2024.

In other news from the tournament, Moise Kouame, a 17-year-old Frenchman, made headlines by becoming the youngest male player since Rafael Nadal to win a Masters 1000 match, overcoming Zachary Svajda with a score of 5-7, 6-4, 6-4.