She won over the Palermo crowd with her elegant and solid tennis, but above all with her story of resilience and determination. Francesca Jones, 24, from Leeds, added her name to the Palermo Ladies Open's roll of honor, defeating the surprising Dutchwoman Anouk Koevermans in two sets to win her second career WTA 2 title in two weeks. "I'm very happy, but for me it's never enough," said the British player. "Now I'm focused on continuing to work hard. I want to achieve results in upcoming tournaments, perhaps even doing well at the US Open. My goal remains to improve every day, point after point."

Jones won without dropping a set throughout the tournament, demonstrating great tactical maturity and mental clarity. “I didn't expect such a fast-paced match in the final,” she revealed. “Anouk Koevermans had a great tournament, but I played really well. I stayed focused, and everything went as planned.” It hasn't been an easy journey for her. Due to a very rare genetic malformation—Ectrodactyly Ectodermal Dysplasia Syndrome—Francesca has four fingers on each hand, but she has never given up. After difficult years marked by constant injuries, she has finally found stability. “I've become a more consistent player, both in training and in matches,” she revealed. “In the past, I would take two steps forward and then two steps back. Now I feel more confident in my abilities and can approach matches and tournaments in the best possible way.”

Although she's not a clay court specialist, Jones found the ideal surface to shine on in Palermo. "I'm not a clay court specialist, but I've won matches on all surfaces," she emphasized. "I adapt and always try to improve. Maybe it's strange for an English player, but I think the key is the ability to adapt." After her triumph, Francesca is enjoying a few days of vacation in Sicily. "I'm going with family and friends to Catania and then Taormina. I really like Italy, I'd be really happy to return to play in Palermo next year."

With the title won at the Country Time Club and the previous one in Contrexeville, Jones is now 84th in the world ranking, a ranking that will allow her to begin a “new” career.