Match Details
Fixture: (WC) Venus Williams vs Francesca Jones
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Date: March 18, 2026
Tournament: Miami Open 2026
Round: First (Round of 128)
Category: WTA 1000
Venue: Indian Wells Tennis Garden, Indian Wells, California, USA
Surface: Hard (outdoor)
Prize Money: $9,415,725
Live Telecast: USA – Tennis Channel | UK – Sky Sports | Canada – TSN, TVA Sports, DAZN
Venus Williams vs Francesca Jones preview
Venus Williams will take on Francesca Jones in the first round of the Miami Open on March 18. Whoever out of the two wins will set up a second-round clash with last year’s runner-up and fifth seed, Jessica Pegula.
Williams has competed in five tournaments so far this season but is yet to win a singles match. The American most recently competed at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, where she faced Diane Parry in the first round and won the second set to force the match into a tiebreak. However, the Frenchwoman triumphed 6-3, 6-7(4), 6-1.
Jones started the season well with a quarterfinal run at the ASB Classic, but she is yet to win a match since then, being on a four-match losing streak. The Brit, like Williams, last competed in Indian Wells and suffered a 3-6, 1-6, opening-round defeat to Kayla Day.
Venus Williams vs Francesca Jones head-to-head
The two have not had any prior encounters so far on the WTA Tour, so their head-to-head currently stands at 0-0.
Venus Williams vs Francesca Jones odds
All odds sourced from oddschecker.
Venus Williams vs Francesca Jones prediction
Both players are currently on a losing streak and will be eager to put an end to it. Jones might have a bit of an edge entering the match, but Williams is bound to have the crowd on her side.
The former World No. 1 won 30 out of 42 points (~71.4%) on her first serve during her first-round defeat in Indian Wells and served four aces. However, she also produced five double faults and cannot afford to serve too many of those.
The American has lost five matches but managed to take her opponent to a deciding set in three of those. She will look to make the most out of her service games and finish points as quickly as possible.
Jones’ first-serve numbers in her Indian Wells defeat were dismal, as she won just 21 out of 36 points (~58.3%) on it, serving no aces and one double fault. The Brit can withstand long rallies and has a relentless game style, which can be a good foil to Williams’ aggression.
The 45-year-old will have the crowd on her side, but if Jones is at her best, she has a good chance of coming out on top.
Pick: Jones to win in straight sets.
Venus Williams vs Francesca Jones betting tips
Tip 1: Match to last two sets
Tip 2: No player to serve more than five aces.
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Edited by Tushhita Barua