Elina Avanesyan, a tennis player who shifted her citizenship from Russia to Armenia and now competes under the Armenian flag, celebrated her first win wearing the new national colors. The moment marked a milestone as she stepped onto the court with a fresh sense of representing a different home country on the professional stage.
Her triumph came against American player Lauren Davis in the semi-final qualifying round of a tournament staged in Cincinnati, United States. The match concluded with set scores of 6:3 and 6:1, and it lasted one hour and twenty-three minutes. Davis struggled to stabilize her serve throughout the encounter, recording six double faults, while Avanesyan converted five out of nine opportunities to break the Davis serve, seizing the momentum when it mattered most.
In the latest Women’s Tennis Association rankings issued on August 5, Avanesyan’s nationality change was reflected by updating her sporting allegiance from Russia to Armenia, aligning her competitive identity with her current flag and nation of representation.
The decision to switch allegiance was publicly announced in June by Karen Giloyan, Armenia’s Sports Minister, who confirmed that the Pyatigorsk-born athlete would compete under the Armenian banner in upcoming events, a move that has drawn attention for its potential impact on Armenian tennis on the international stage.
Ranked 58th in the WTA standings, Avanesyan had already reached the final of a tournament in Iasi, Romania, just ahead of that period, where she faced a tough defeat against Mirra Andreeva of Russia. The result underscored both Avanesyan’s climb through the rankings and the high level of competition at that stage of her career.
Her run at the 2023 Roland Garros Grand Slam was notable as well. Avanesyan advanced to the tournament’s fourth round after entering the main draw as a lucky loser, illustrating her tenacity and ability to capitalize on late opportunities even in the toughest major championships. The performances of her contemporaries, including Andreeva, have sparked predictions about strong futures for Russian-born players who have made strategic moves in their careers, a trend that adds intrigue to the sport’s evolving landscape.