Personal

Formerly coached by father, Radoslav (placed seventh in World Cup of Rowing and was a Bulgarian National Champion); mother was a volleyball player (also a Bulgarian National Champion); sisters are Gabriele (a name picked by Sesil for her favorite player Gabriela Sabatini) and Elia ... Began playing tennis at age 5 when father introduced her to the sport ... Attributes learning English to listening to Spice Girls "all the time" and is now doing the same with Spanish by listening to Shakira ... Trains half year at Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy (he saw her play at 2003 Eddie Herr junior event and offered her a three-week scholarship) and other half in Bulgaria.

Career Highlights

DOUBLES
Finalist (1): 2008 - Bad Gastein (w/Zoric).

ADDITIONAL
Bulgarian Fed Cup Team, 2005.

Career in Review

2015 - SF at Acapulco (l. to Bacsinszky); reached 2r four times (incl. Roland Garros); fell 1r six times (incl. Wimbledon and US Open) and in qualifying 12 times (incl. Australian Open).

2014 - QF at Québec City; reached 2r once; fell 1r once and in qualifying 10 times (incl. all four majors).

2013 - Reached 2r three times; fell 1r six times (incl. Australian Open) and in qualifying 10 times (incl. other three majors).

2012 - Second Top 100 season; reached 2r four times (incl. Roland Garros); fell 1r 10 times (incl. US Open) and in qualifying 11 times (incl. other two majors).

2011 - Fell 1r once and in qualifying 11 times (incl. all four majors); won one singles title on ITF Circuit.

2010 - SF at Pattaya City (l. to Tanasugarn); QF at Birmingham; reached 2r once; fell 1r five times (incl. Australian Open) and in qualifying nine times (incl. other three majors).

2009 - Reached 2r twice (incl. Australian Open); fell 1r four times (incl. Wimbledon) and in qualifying 10 times (incl. other two majors).

2008 - In first two events back, won two singles titles on ITF Circuit; in only WTA main draw, reached 2r at Fès (l. to Medina Garrigues 36 76(4) 61; held mp at 63 54); fell in qualifying 10 times (incl. Wimbledon and US Open).

2007 - Did not play.

2006 - Did not play.

2005 - First Top 50 season (started No.133 and finished No.35); QF three times at Gold Coast, Roland Garros (first Grand Slam QF; l. to Likhovtseva) and San Diego; reached 2r nine times (incl. Wimbledon and US Open); fell 1r twice (incl. Australian Open) and in qualifying once; made Top 100 debut on January 31 (after Australian Open; rose from No.110 to No.98) and Top 50 debut on July 4 (after Wimbledon; rose from No.52 to No.48) and set career-high No.35 on November 7 (after Philadelphia).

2004 - Played first five WTA main draws, reaching QF twice at Vancouver and Québec City, 3r once and 2r once; fell 1r once (US Open); won one singles title on ITF Circuit.

2003 - Played first events of career on ITF Circuit, winning three singles titles.