Maleeva makes winning return after five-year absence

Magdalena Maleeva returned to competitive tennis after a five-year absence and won the Bulgarian championship in style on Friday.

The youngest sister of the Maleeva dynasty beat Izabela Shinikova 6-4, 6-4 in the final in the southern town of Plovdiv.

"I had a great desire to compete once again and I'm happy with my participation here," the 35-year-old told Bulgarian state television.

"But I don't think I achieved something special as some of the top names were missing."

Maleeva, who reached a career-high ranking of fourth in the world in 1996, clinched her first Bulgarian title at the age of 13 in 1988 to become the youngest winner. She won 10 WTA titles before retiring in 2005.

Her sisters Manuela and Katerina were ranked in the top six in the world in the 1980s and 1990s.