Francesca Jones’ breakthrough French Open was ended by Marie Bouzkova, leaving Katie Boulter as the last remaining British singles player at Roland Garros.
The 25-year-old achieved an emotional first win at a Grand Slam by defeating Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia in the first round, but fell 6-0 7-6 (7-3) to Czech 27th seed Bouzkova on Wednesday.
Jones, the world number 102, went toe-to-toe with former Wimbledon quarter-finalist Bouzkova as she battled back from 4-1 down in a second set which she twice missed the chance to serve out.
“I love the clay. This one will hurt as much as losing in Wimbledon does for me,” Jones said.
“I think I’m always going to make opponents feel uncomfortable.
“I don’t care what the score is. I will throw everything at you. I will throw every ounce of my mentality I’ve got at you, physically what I can.”
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On Sunday, Jones celebrated her first victory in her seventh first-round appearance at the sport’s four Grand Slams – although this was her debut at Roland Garros.
The British number four admitted she had come through “arguably the hardest moment of my career” to achieve victory over former top-10 player Haddad Maia.
Earlier this year, Jones suffered lingering concussion symptoms following a freak gym accident, in which the locking mechanism on a leg-press machine failed and a 45kg weight crashed onto her head and knee.
That incident occurred just as she neared a return to full fitness, after her Australian Open was ended by a torn muscle in her hip in January.
Her attention will now turn to the grass court season, and bidding for a first main draw win at Wimbledon.
“I think this week proves that I’m always going to back myself, even if I have not got maybe that track record similar as last year when I was coming into the grass with quite a lot of wins,” Jones added.
“I do trust my mentality, so hopefully I’ll put myself in the position over the grass as well to keep winning matches.”
