Tsvetana Pironkova life and biography

Tsvetana Kirilova Pironkova is a female Bulgarian tennis player.

She was born and lives in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Pironkova is right-handed and plays with a two-handed backhand. She achieved her career high of world no. 31 on September 13, 2010. She is currently the Bulgarian No. 1 and has won six ITF titles in her career.

CAREER:

In August 2002 at the age of 14, Pironkova played her first professional tournament at the $10,000 International Tennis Federation Tournament in Bucharest, Romania. Pironkova won 3 qualifying matches before reaching the final in the main draw, where she lost to Monica Niculescu of Romania, 6–1, 7–6(1).

In September 2002, Pironkova played in the $10,000 ITF event in Volos, Greece, where she lost only one set playing through the qualifying and main draw. She defeated Tina Schmassmann of Switzerland 7–6(3), 7–5 to win her first professional ITF event.

In 2003, she won three ITF singles titles: one in Orestiada, Greece and two in Istanbul.

2010:
Just before the US Open, she was ranked no.34 in the World, but the to withdrawals of Serena Williams and Justine Henin, Pironkova became the first Bulgarian to be seeded at a Grand Slam since Magdalena Maleeva was seeded in the 2005 Wimbledon.As no.32 in the draw, she was projected to have a re-match of her Wimbledon quarterfinal against former World no.1 Venus Williams in the third round.After first round straight sets win to Renata Voráčová, she then lost to qualifier Mandy Minella, who had just scored her very first main draw victory.Later was revealed she suffered fever and felt exhausted at the day of her match.

In the first round of Toray Pan Pacific Open, she defeated Japanese player Ayumi Morita, but lost in the second round to Italian qualifier Roberta Vinci.

In her first participation in the China Open, she lost her first round match against Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova.

In last tournament in the year in Moscow wins in first round over host qualifier Ksenia Pervak, and losses in second round to Dominika Cibulková.

She ended the year at number 35 in the world.

After the great season Tsvetana Pironkova won 5th place at the sportsman of the year ceremony in Bulgaria which is held every year and determines top 10 sport achievements. She was announced best athlete in her home city Plovdiv also.

2011:
Tsvetana's first tournament of 2011 was in Moorilla Hobart International where she lost to Peng Shuai of China in first round.

In Australian Open in first round straight win to French player Pauline Parmentier, but in second round losses to Romanian Monica Niculescu.

PERSONAL:
Coached by father, Kiril Enchev (is a former canoe champion), who introduced her to tennis at age 4
Mother, Radosveta Nikolova, is a former swimming champion
Has one brother, Encho, and one sister, Elisaveta
Also enjoys listening to Bulgarian music and watching television
Also likes swimming, canoeing
Favorite movie is "Gladiator".

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