Tennis player Elina Avanesyan, who changed her Russian citizenship and now represents Armenia, won her first victory under the new flag.
She defeated US representative Lauren Davis in the semi-final qualifying match of the tournament held in Cincinnati, USA. The meeting ended 6:3, 6:1. The former Russian player never managed to hold serve, made six double faults in the match that lasted 1 hour and 23 minutes and converted five of nine break points.
In the updated version of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) rankings on August 5, Avanesyan’s sports citizenship was changed from Russian to Armenian.
In June, Armenian Sports Minister Karen Giloyan announced that the Pyatigorsk-born athlete would compete on behalf of Armenia.
Avanesyan, ranked 58th in the WTA rankings, reached her first career final last month in Iasi, Romania, but lost to Russia’s Mirra Andreeva.
In the summer of 2023, Avanesyan managed to reach the fourth round at the Roland Garros Grand Slam Tournament and entered the main draw as a “lucky loser”.
Former French tennis player guess Andreeva has a great future.