Fran’s plans for England

BRITAIN’S Fran Jones is preparing for a first tilt at the Wimbledon main draw by writing tactical analysis for England boss Gareth Southgate. The 20-year-old wildcard, a selfconfessed football ‘hooligan’, will juggle next week’s debut at SW19 with channel-hopping between Euro 2020 matches. ‘An athlete has to live for their sport, but it is important we have moments where we disconnect,’ said Jones. ‘Football is a great distraction for me... If I’m not watching England, I’m studying how we beat the other teams! On Wednesday, France and Germany were on my big screen and my mum was not allowed to come into the room as I was writing tactics to send to Southgate!’ Jones was speaking while wearing a David Beckham England shirt from Euro 2000. ‘Of course I will be following the football... I’m very patriotic and I will be supporting the guys.’ Jones has ‘cheekily’ told her agents that a career in football may await once she hangs up her racket, but first she wants to make a dent at Wimbledon. ‘Hopefully I can put my mark on the tournament,’ Jones said. ÷ At Eastbourne yesterday, No 1 seed Aryna Sabalenka was beaten in the quarter-finals of the Viking International by Italy’s Camila Giorgi. There are no seeds left in the women’s draw now. On the men’s side, Australian Max Purcell defeated Andreas Seppi to book a first ATP Tour semi-final, where he will face No 3 seed Lorenzo Sonego.