Elina Avanesyan has secured her first victory representing Armenia, triumphing in the opening round of the WTA 1000 Cincinnati Open qualifiers.
Playing her first match under the Armenian flag, Avanesyan defeated U.S. player Lauren Davis with a decisive 6-3, 6-1 scoreline.
This victory is particularly historic as it marks the first WTA-level win (main draw or qualifying) by an Armenian player since 1991, when Karina Kuregian won in the first round of qualifying at St. Petersburg.
The 21-year-old tennis star has now advanced to the qualifying final, where she will face British player Harriet Dart.
Before this tournament, Avanesyan received her Armenian passport, officially switching her sporting citizenship from Russia to Armenia.
