US Open: Francesca Jones one win from main draw after beating Ekaterine Gorgodze

US Open 2025

Venue: Flushing Meadows, New York Dates: 24 August-7 September

Coverage: Live radio commentaries across 5 Live Sport and BBC Sounds, plus live text commentaries on the BBC Sport website & app

Francesca Jones moved to within one win of reaching the US Open main draw with a gutsy 6-1 7-6 (13-11) victory over Georgia’s Ekaterine Gorgodze.

British number four Jones – looking to reach the US Open main draw for the first time in her career – broke serve early and found herself 3-0 up after just 11 minutes at a windy Stadium 17.

However, the 24-year-old had to battle to save seven break points before the end of the set as Gorgodze fought back from a poor start.

The Georgian cut a frustrated figure during the opening set – at one point she turned on spectators behind her who were asked by the umpire to switch off their mobile phones – but turned the tables on Jones and began the second set with a break and raced into a 3-0 lead.

At times Jones struggled to cope with the 33-year-old’s powerful forehand, but broke for a third time to get the set back on serve.

Jones had to save four set points in a brutal tie-break before claiming victory with her fifth match point.

A win in the third round of qualifying on Friday will secure Jones – who grew up playing on clay – a place in the main draw for the first time in her career.

She has never received direct entry to a Grand Slam through her ranking and narrowly missed out this time, despite having climbed to a career-high 86th in the world since the US Open cut-off point.

Meanwhile, British number nine Oliver Crawford suffered a 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 defeat to American Garrett Johns to end his hopes of reaching a second career Grand Slam.

Fellow British players Jodie Burrage, Harriet Dart, Billy Harris and Jay Clarke are all in qualifying action later on Thursday.