Avanesyan makes Hobart tennis second round
Armenian trailblazer Elina Avanesyan has followed up her recent upset win over world No.12 Paula Badosa by advancing to the final 16 of the Hobart International.
In 2024, Russia-born Avanesyan changed allegiances to Armenia, the birthplace of her parents, making her the highest-ranked woman to ever represent the country.
The 22-year-old world No.44 toppled Chinese qualifier Xiyu Wang 6-3 7-5 in the first round in Hobart on Monday.
Avanesyan also reached the final 16 at the Brisbane International last week, beating Badosa in three sets en route.
She beat several top-10 players in 2024, including eighth seed Maria Sakkari at the Australian Open, and cracked the top 50 for the first time.
Avanesyan, the sixth seed in Hobart, will meet qualifier Greet Minnen for a place in the quarter-finals after she upset world No.56 Viktoriya Tomova 7-5 6-3.
