Fran Jones in the first round of the Lexus Nottingham Open, UK
Fran Jones in the first round of the Lexus Nottingham Open, UK | (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images for LTA)

Tennis | WTA Auckland 2026 | Francesca Jones opens 2026 with her debut in Auckland, facing second seed Emma Navarro

By Ros Satar

  • Francesca Jones v Emma Navarro [2]
  • H2H: First Meeting
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – Francesca Jones takes on second seed Emma Navarro as she makes her Auckland debut.

 

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Francesca Jones v Emma Navarro [2] | H2H & Match Fundamentals

Francesca Jones v Emma Navarro [2] H2H: First Meeting)
WTA Auckland New Zealand
Hard (O) Prize Money: $3065
Fourth on Centre Court, not before 6pm (5am GMT) Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required

Francesca Jones will make her debut in Auckland but faces a tricky start against American second seed Emma Navarro.

 

Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2025)

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H2H: Francesca Jones (WR 73) Emma Navarro (WR 15)
Tournament Previous Best Debut SF (2024)
1st Serve Return Points Won % 38.8 37.8
Return Points Won % 45.5 46.1
Break Point Conversion % 52.5 50.5
Break Points Saved % 56.9 51.4
Overall Service Points Won % 59.2 57.0

Despite the gulf in the rankings, Jones was more consistent overall on the hard courts in 2025 than Navarro.

 

 

Playing Styles & Prediction

Navarro is a versatile baseliner who relies on a strong forehand and exceptional footwork to slice and dice her opponents. She is not hard to break mentally, staying tough and tending to get under her opponent’s skin.

Jones is also mentally tough having had to deal with the physical adversity, and as such is a very gritty and determined competitor and has scored some scalps in the past when not expected to complete closely.

Jones finished the year strongly with the quarter-final in Guadalajara and Sao Paolo but closed out the year with two first round exits in Guangzhou and Chennai. Navarro reached the quarter-final in Beijing but closed out her season in Wuhan.

It will be an interesting first meeting – Jones should make Navarro have to work hard for a win, provided she is fit and healthy.

Prediction: Navarro in three sets.

 

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