Emotional Jones retires from Australian Open qualifier

Britain's Francesca Jones had to be helped to walk off court after retiring from Australian Open qualifying.

Jones had led 4-0 in the deciding set against Germany's Ella Seidel before cramping up in her left leg.

The problem flared up when the 23-year-old was serving at 4-2 and, after trying to continue, she had to stop before leaving the court in distress.

Oliver Crawford was the only British winner in qualifying as Harriet Dart, Ryan Peniston and Billy Harris lost.

Elsewhere at Melbourne Park, former British number one Emma Raducanu eased any injury fears in a two-hour practice session where she showed no signs of physical problems.

Raducanu, who is set to play in her first Grand Slam in a year after wrist and ankle surgeries, withdrew from two exhibition matches in Melbourne this week.

The 21-year-old made her competitive comeback in Auckland last week after almost nine months out and felt soreness this week after playing two matches there.

Also on Thursday, British men's number one Cameron Norrie pulled out of an ATP tournament in Auckland with a wrist injury.

It is understood Norrie's withdrawal was a precautionary measure before the Australian Open, which starts on Sunday.

Jones missed a large chunk of the second half of 2023 through injury and there was further misfortune for the 23-year-old in the second round of qualifying at Melbourne Park.

In command at 3-6 7-6 (7-5) 4-0 against 172nd-ranked Seidel, Jones looked to be on course to move into the final round and one more victory away from reaching the main draw.

She called for the physio at 4-2 deuce in the third set and continued after a quick chat at the side of the court.

But, with players unable to call a medical timeout for cramping, it quickly became clear Jones would be unable to compete as the problem persisted.

Jones was docked a point when Seidel served at 40-30 4-3 because she was not ready to play - as she was bending over double in discomfort - and quit at the end of the next game.

United States-born Crawford recently switched allegiance to represent Britain, where both of his parents are from, and the world number 213 is the only remaining player from the nation in the qualifying draw.

The 24-year-old beat Italy's Francesco Passaro 6-4 6-7 (7-9) 6-4 and will next face Czech world number 132 Vit Kopriva with a place in the Australian Open main draw on the line.

Elsewhere, Dart suffered a 6-4 6-4 loss to Ukraine's Yulia Starodubtseva, while Harris lost 3-6 6-3 6-2 to eighth seed David Goffin and Peniston was beaten 6-3 6-2 by Tunisia's Aziz Dougaz.