Competing against the backdrop of war and hamstrung by budget constraints, Iran’s tennis team celebrated minor triumphs at the Asian Games as both their women’s players won their opening singles, AFP reports.

Meshkatolzahra Safi thumped Tajik Shakhzoda Asimova 6-0 6-1 while Mandegar Farzami joined teammate Safi in the next round with a 7-5 6-3 win over Uzbek Sevil Yuldasheva.

The 22-year-old Safi became the first Iranian to win a Grand Slam junior singles match at the Australian Open in 2022 and boasted a top-100 ranking as a junior.

She has found it hard to kick on as a professional, though, with little funding to tour and build momentum.

Seven months of war between the US and Iran have only steepened the challenges but tennis provides a vital escape from the anxiety brought by the conflict, said Safi.

“Tennis is a real release because the situation is so bad,” she said in Nagoya.

“Even a couple of months ago you could hear the sounds of bombs close by. I should be able to concentrate on tennis. No other players have to think about this.”