Francesca Jones defeats Venus Williams in Miami for WTA 1000 breakthrough

• Brit overcomes seven-time grand slam champion 7-5, 7-5

• 25-year-old secures first victory since January

In her first training session back on-site at a tournament after injury put an end to her Australian Open, Francesca Jones found herself in an unusual, delightful situation. Her training partner across the net was none other than Venus Williams, the most successful active female tennis player.

Being able to train with such a legendary player was a dream itself, but as of Thursday afternoon Jones can now say that she has also defeated one of the great legends of the game as she closed out a 7-5, 7-5 win over the 45-year-old seven-time grand slam champion in the first round of the Miami Open. The victory marks Jones’s first WTA 1000 match win in her career, breaking a four-match losing streak.

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