The 15-aged French Open sensation Sesil Karatantcheva opened a tie between Japan and Bulgaria in the Fed Cup tennis World Group II play-off this weekend. She lost 2-6 7-6 6-0 to experienced Akiko Morigami. Photo by BTA
Bulgaria has suffered a double defeat at the FedCup World Cup tournament, as both Magdalena Maleeva and Sesil Karatantcheva lost matches to Japanese rivals.
Bulgaria's 15-year-old Sesil Karatantcheva, who has already featured in seven Fed Cup matches for her country, was beaten by the experienced Akiko Morigami 2-6 7-6 6-0.
The defeat extracted a burst of tears from Sesil who was tempered by Magdalena Maleeva, playing captain of Bulgarian team.
Maggie then responded for the visiting side with a 3-6 6-4 6-3 defeat of Aiko Nakamura.
The Japanese posted straight-sets wins Sunday to give Japan a 4-1 victory over Bulgaria in a Fed Cup Group II playoff.
Japan and Bulgaria were even 1-1 after the first day of their World Group II playoff at Ariaki Coliseum.