Armenian derby in São Paulo: Avanesyan and Charaeva to play for a spot in the quarterfinals

Two Armenian representatives, Elina Avanesyan and Alina Charaeva, have reached the Round of 16 at the WTA 250 tournament being played on the hard courts of São Paulo.

Today, Alina Charaeva (WTA No. 133) completed her first-round match against China's Xiaodi You (WTA No. 207), which had previously been interrupted by rain. The Armenian tennis player came from behind to claim a three-set victory — 3-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-3.

The closing stages of the second set were particularly tense. Trailing 5-6, Charaeva was returning serve as her opponent served for the match. Alina managed to break back, force a tie-break and win it 7-5.

After another rain delay, the players returned to the court. Charaeva proved stronger in the deciding third set, winning it 6-3 and securing her place in the next round.

A day earlier, another Armenian representative, Elina Avanesyan (WTA No. 155), made a successful start at the tournament in Brazil. In the Round of 32, she defeated Argentina's Julia Riera (WTA No. 144) in straight sets — 6-2, 6-4.

Now Avanesyan and Charaeva will face each other in the Round of 16. The winner of the all-Armenian clash will advance to the quarterfinals of the WTA 250 tournament in São Paulo.

As a result, Armenia is guaranteed to have at least one player in the quarterfinals of the tournament.