United States Open 2025
Place: Flushing Meadow, New York date: August 24 to September 7
Coverage: Live broadcast reviews cover 5 live sports and BBC sounds, as well as live text reviews on the BBC Sport website and apps
Francesca Jones entered a U.S. Open victory with the courage to beat Georgia’s Ekaterine Gorgodze 6-1 7-6 (13-11).
The fourth-placed Jones in the UK – hoping to make her first major draw in the U.S. Open in her career – broke the game early and found herself 3-0 after just 17 minutes at the Wind Stadium.
However, the 24-year-old had to fight to save seven breakout points before the scene ended as Gorgodze fought back from a bad start.
The Georgian cut a frustrated number during the opening ceremony – at some point she turned on the audience behind, who were turned off by the referee – but opened the table on Jones and started the second game with a break and led 3-0.
Jones sometimes struggled with the 33-year-old’s strong forehand, but broke the game for the third time.
Jones had to save four fixed points in a brutal tiebreak and then win in Game 5.
The win was won in the third round of Friday’s qualifying match that would secure Jones, who grew up in Clay, for the first time in her career, in a major draw.
She has never received a direct entry into the Grand Slam since the U.S. public deadline, this time she is the 86th highest in the world, but missed this time.
Meanwhile, the 9th British man, Oliver Crawford, beat U.S. Garrett Johns 6-3 7-6 (7-4) to end his hopes of winning a second professional grand slam.
British players Jodie Burrage, Harriet Dart, Billy Harris and Jay Clarke all made qualified operations late Thursday.
