Iveta Benešová Explained

Iveta Benešová
Itf Name:Iveta Melzer
Residence:Most
Birth Date:1 February 1983
Birth Place:Most, Czechoslovakia
Height:1.7m (05.6feet)
Turnedpro:1998
Retired:2014
Plays:Left-handed (two-handed backhand)
Careerprizemoney:US$ 3,329,488
Singlestitles:2
Highestsinglesranking:No. 25 (6 April 2009)
Australianopenresult:4R (2011, 2012)
Frenchopenresult:3R (2008, 2009)
Wimbledonresult:2R (2007, 2009, 2011)
Usopenresult:2R (2004, 2008, 2010)
Doublestitles:14
Highestdoublesranking:No. 17 (31 January 2011)
Australianopendoublesresult:3R (2008, 2011)
Frenchopendoublesresult:3R (2005, 2006, 2010)
Wimbledondoublesresult:3R (2010)
Usopendoublesresult:QF (2011)
Mixed:yes
Mixedtitles:1
Australianopenmixedresult:SF (2009)
Frenchopenmixedresult:QF (2011)
Wimbledonmixedresult:W (2011)
Usopenmixedresult:2R (2009)
Team:yes
Fedcupresult:11–12

Iveta Benešová (in Czech pronounced as /ˈɪvɛta ˈbɛnɛʃovaː/) (formerly Melzer, Czech: '''Melzerová'''; born 1 February 1983) is a Czech former tennis player. She began playing tennis aged seven and turned professional in 1998. She won two WTA Tour singles and 14 doubles tournaments, and one Grand Slam title in mixed doubles, partnered with Jürgen Melzer at the 2011 Wimbledon Championships. On 14 September 2012, she married Melzer and adopted his family name (until 2015). She announced her retirement from tennis on 13 August 2014.

Career

2005–2008

Benešová was the first player to be beaten by Ana Ivanovic in the main draw of a Grand Slam tournament, at the 2005 Australian Open.[1]

At the 2006 Australian Open, for the first time, she reached the third round of a Grand Slam championship by beating fifth seed Mary Pierce. She lost in the next round to former world No. 1 Martina Hingis.[2]

Entering as a qualifier in the 2008 French Open, she reached the third round, beating 15th seed and compatriate Nicole Vaidišová in the first round, but lost to Petra Cetkovská.

2009

Benešová started the year by playing the first edition of the Brisbane International. She lost in the first round to qualifier Sesil Karatantcheva. A week later, Benešová lost in the final of the tournament in Hobart to fellow-Czech Petra Kvitová. At the Australian Open, she lost in the second round to eventual semifinalist and fourth-seeded Elena Dementieva.

Immediately after Australian, Benešová played in front of her home crowd in the Fed Cup tie against Spain. Despite losing her singles rubber to Nuria Llagostera Vives, the Czech team advanced to the semifinals after winning the tie 4–1.

At the Open GdF Suez in Paris, she lost in the first round to world No. 1, Serena Williams. Benešová then reached the semifinals of the tournament in Acapulco, a clay-court event. In the quarterfinals, she beat Mathilde Johansson, before losing to defending champion Flavia Pennetta.

On 6 April 2009, Benešová achieved her career-high singles ranking of world No. 25.

Seeded 6th at the first edition of the Monterrey Open, she beat fellow Czech Barbora Záhlavová-Strýcová in the quarterfinals before losing in the semifinals to unseeded Li Na.

Benešová fell to Ana Ivanovic in the third round of the French Open.

At Wimbledon, she beat Katie O'Brien, before falling to Jelena Janković in the second round.

2010

In singles, she defeated Simona Halep in the final of the Morocco Open to win her first WTA Tour trophy since 2004.

In doubles, she has won three titles. Along with Barbora Záhlavová-Strýcová, she grabbed the titles in Paris as their opponents Cara Black and Liezel Huber withdrew and Monterrey defeating Anna-Lena Grönefeld and Vania King. Partnering with Anabel Medina Garrigues, Benešová won Fes, making her winning both singles and doubles in the tournament.

2011

Benešová reached the fourth round of the Australian Open,[3] but was defeated by second seed Vera Zvonareva.[4]

Along with Záhlavová-Strýcová she won four titles in doubles.

At the Wimbledon Championships, she won the mixed doubles title with partner and later husband Jürgen Melzer.[5] [6]

2012

Benešová once again reached the fourth round of the Australian Open, being defeated by eventual champion Victoria Azarenka in straight sets.On 29 April 2012 she won her last title at the Stuttgart doubles, again with Záhlavová-Strýcová.

She paused from playing tournaments until February 2014, mainly due to shoulder problems.

2014

In her first tournament as Iveta Melzer, she and her partner Petra Cetkovská reached the final of the Acapulco doubles which they lost in the third set.

At the French Open, she played the mixed doubles with her husband Jürgen, they lost in the first round against top seeded Alexander Peya and Abigail Spears. It was their last Grand Slam mixed appearance together; at Wimbledon, Jürgen Melzer partnered Anabel Medina Garrigues.

Iveta Melzer ended her career on 15 August 2014, as shoulder problems prevented her from playing her best tennis.

Personal life

On 14 September 2012, Benešová married Austrian tennis player Jürgen Melzer in Austria at Laxenburg Castle. The relationship ended in 2015 and Iveta changed her name back to Benešová.[7] [8]

Performance timelines

Only main-draw results in WTA Tour, Grand Slam tournaments, Fed Cup and Olympic Games are included in win–loss records.

Singles

Tournament2002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014SRW–LWin%
Grand Slam tournaments
Australian OpenQ21RQ31R3R2RQ22R2R4R4RAA0 / 811–8
French Open2R1R1R2R2R1R3R3R1R1R1RA1R0 / 127–12
Wimbledon1R1R1R1R1R2R1R2R1R2R1RAA0 / 113–11
US Open1R1R2R1R1R1R2R1R2R1R1RAA0 / 113–11
Win–loss1–30–41–31–43–42–43–34–42–44–43–40–00–10 / 4224–42
National representation
Summer OlympicsNH1RNH2RNHANH0 / 21–2
Premier Mandatory & 5 + former
Dubai / Qatar OpenNH/NMSAA1R1R2RAA0 / 31–3
Indian Wells OpenA2R3R3R2R2R1R2R1R2R1RA1R0 / 116–11
Miami OpenA1RA1R2R2RAQF1R3R3RA1R0 / 99–9
German / Madrid OpenAAA1R1RAA1R1R2R1RAA0 / 61–6
Italian OpenAQ2Q2AAQ12RAA2R2RAA0 / 33–3
Canadian OpenAAAAAQ2A1R3R2RQ3AA0 / 33–3
Cincinnati OpenNH/NMS1RA1RQ1AA0 / 20–2
Pan Pacific OpenAAAQFQ2AAQF1R3RAAA0 / 47–4
China OpenNMS1RA1RAAA0 / 20–2
Charleston Open (former)AAA3R1RAANMS0 / 22–2
San Diego Open (former)NMS2R2RAAANH0 / 22–2
Kremlin Cup (former)Q2Q2Q21R2RQ1ANMS0 / 21–2
Zurich Open (former)AQ1Q2Q2AANH/NMS0 / 00–0
Win–loss0–01–23–26–72–52–21–26–72–68–94–50–00–20 / 4935–49
Career statistics
2002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014SRW–LWin%
Tournaments91922272115182525241705Career total: 227
Titles0010000010000Career total: 2
Finals1030101110000Career total: 8
Hard win–loss4–24–711–1313–1611–124–79–816–1510–1412–1510–90–00–30 / 118104–121
Clay win–loss3–64–1014–66–74–71–913–811–88–82–71–50–00–22 / 8167–83
Grass win–loss0–10–20–10–21–21–10–22–20–11–10–30–00–00 / 185–18
Carpet win–loss1–11–20–02–31–10–00–00–20–10–10–00–00–00 / 10 5–11
Overall win–loss8–109–2125–2021–2817–226–1722–1829–2718–2415–2411–170–00–52 / 227181–233
Win %Career total:
Year-end ranking811403654601194339605481$3,329,488

Doubles

Tournament2002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014SRW–LWin%
Grand Slam tournaments
Australian OpenAA1R1R1R1R3R2R2R3R2RAA0 / 97–9
French OpenAA1R3R3R1R1R2R3R1R1RA1R0 / 107–10
WimbledonAA1R1R2R1R2R3R3R3R2RAA0 / 99–9
US OpenAA2R1R1R2R2R2R3RQF2RAA0 / 910–9
Win–loss0–00–01–42–43–41–44–45–47–47–43–40–00–10 / 3733–37
align=left colspan="17" National representation
Summer OlympicsNHANH1RNHANH0 / 10–1
WTA Premier Mandatory & 5 + former
Dubai / Qatar OpenNMSAA1R1R2RAA0 / 31–3
Indian Wells OpenAA1R1RSF2RQFQFQF2RSFA1R0 / 1013–10
Miami OpenAAA1R2RAA1R1R2R1RA2R0 / 73–7
Berlin / Madrid OpenAA1R1RQFAAA1R1R1RAA0 / 62–6
Italian OpenAAAAAQFFAA2R2RAA0 / 48–4
Canadian OpenAAAAA2RAQFQF1R1RAA0 / 55–5
Cincinnati OpenNMS1RA1R1RAA0 / 30–3
Pan Pacific OpenAAAAQFAAAW1RAAA1 / 35–2
China OpenNMS1RA2RAAA0 / 21–2
Charleston Open (former)AAAF1RAANMS0 / 24–2
San Diego Open (former)AA1R1RAAANMS0 / 20–2
Kremlin Cup (former)A2R1R1RFSFANMS0 / 56–5
Zurich Open (former)AAQ11RANH/NMS0 / 10–1
Win–loss0–01–10–44–710–66–45–24–58–54–95–70–01–21 / 5348–52
align=left colspan="17" Career statistics
Tournaments5820261717202021221804Career total: 198
Titles0001012144100Career total: 14
Finals0013124454101Career total: 26
Overall win–loss2–65–814–2022–2518–1820–1624–1829–1932–1732–1718–170–04–414 / 198220–185
Year-end ranking190130633835343534212936n/a

Grand Slam finals

Mixed doubles: 1 title

WTA career finals

Singles: 8 (2 titles, 6 runner-ups)

Resulclass=unsortableW–LDateTournamentTierSurfaceOpponentclass=unsortableScore
Loss0–1Oct 2002WTA Bratislava, SlovakiaTier VHard (i) Maja Matevžič0–6, 1–6
Win1–1Mar 2004Mexican OpenTier IIIClay Flavia Pennetta7–6(7–5), 6–4
Loss1–2Apr 2004Portugal OpenTier IVClay Émilie Loit5–7, 6–7(1–7)
Loss1–3Aug 2004Forest Hills Classic, U.S.Tier VHard Elena Likhovtseva3–6, 2–6
Loss1–4Jan 2006Hobart International, AustraliaTier IVHard Michaëlla Krajicek1–6, 2–6
Loss1–5May 2008Portugal OpenTier IVClay Maria Kirilenko4–6, 2–6
Loss1–6Jan 2009Hobart International, AustraliaInternationalHard Petra Kvitová5–7, 1–6
Win2–6May 2010Morocco OpenInternationalClay Simona Halep6–4, 6–2

Doubles: 26 (14 titles, 12 runner-ups)

Legend
WTA Premier Mandatory & 5 (1–3)
WTA Premier (5–2)
WTA International (8–7)
ResultW–LDateTournamentTierSurfacePartnerOpponentsScore
Loss0–1Jul 2004Bank of the West Classic, U.S.Tier IIHard Claudine Schaul Eleni Daniilidou
Nicole Pratt
2–6, 4–6
Win1–1Feb 2005Open GDF Suez, FranceTier IICarpet (i) Květa Peschke Anabel Medina Garrigues
Dinara Safina
6–2, 2–6, 6–2
Loss1–2Apr 2005Family Circle Cup, U.S.Tier IClay (green) Květa Peschke Conchita Martínez
Virginia Ruano Pascual
1–6, 4–6
Loss1–3Jun 2005Rosmalen Championships, NetherlandsTier IIIGrass Nuria Llagostera Vives Anabel Medina Garrigues
Dinara Safina
6–4, 2–6, 7–6(11–9)
Loss1–4Oct 2006Kremlin Cup, RussiaTier ICarpet (i) Galina Voskoboeva Francesca Schiavone
Květa Peschke
4–6, 7–6(7–4), 1–6
Loss1–5Jan 2007Australian Hardcourt ChampionshipsTier IIIHard Galina Voskoboeva Dinara Safina
Katarina Srebotnik
3–6, 4–6
Win2–5Sep 2007Luxembourg OpenTier IIHard (i) Janette Husárová Victoria Azarenka
Shahar Pe'er
6–4, 6–2
Win3–5Feb 2008Copa Colsanitas, ColombiaTier IIIClay Bethanie Mattek Jelena Kostanić Tošić
Martina Müller
6–3, 6–3
Loss3–6Mar 2008Mexican OpenTier IIIClay Petra Cetkovská Nuria Llagostera Vives
María José Martínez Sánchez
2–6, 4–6
Loss3–7May 2008Italian OpenTier IClay Janette Husárová Chuang Chia-jung
Chan Yung-jan
6–7(5–7), 3–6
Win4–7Aug 2008Nordic Light Open, SwedenTier IVHard Barbora Záhlavová-Strýcová Petra Cetkovská
Lucie Šafářová
7–5, 6–4
Loss4–8Mar 2009Monterrey Open, MexicoInternationalHard Barbora Záhlavová-Strýcová Mara Santangelo
Nathalie Dechy
3–6, 4–6
Loss4–9Jul 2009Prague Open, Czech RepublicInternationalClay Barbora Záhlavová-Strýcová Kateryna Bondarenko
Alona Bondarenko
1–6, 2–6
Loss4–10Aug 2009Connecticut Open, U.S.PremierHard Lucie Hradecká Nuria Llagostera Vives
María José Martínez Sánchez
2–6, 6–7
Win5–10Oct 2009Luxembourg Open (2)InternationalHard (i) Barbora Záhlavová-Strýcová Vladimíra Uhlířová
Renata Voráčová
6–1, 0–6, [10–7]
Win6–10Feb 2010Open GDF Suez, France (2)PremierHard (i) Barbora Záhlavová-Strýcová Cara Black
Liezel Huber
walkover
Win7–10Mar 2010Monterrey Open, MexicoInternationalHard Barbora Záhlavová-Strýcová Anna-Lena Grönefeld
Vania King
3–6, 6–4, [10–8]
Win8–10May 2010Morocco OpenInternationalClay Anabel Medina Garrigues Lucie Hradecká
Renata Voráčová
6–3, 6–1
Win9–10Oct 2010Pan Pacific Open, JapanPremier 5Hard Barbora Záhlavová-Strýcová Shahar Pe'er
Peng Shuai
6–4, 4–6, [10–8]
Loss9–11Oct 2010Luxembourg OpenInternationalHard (i) Barbora Záhlavová-Strýcová Timea Bacsinszky
Tathiana Garbin
4–6, 4–6
Win10–11Jan 2011Sydney International, AustraliaPremierHard Barbora Záhlavová-Strýcová Květa Peschke
Katarina Srebotnik
4–6, 6–4, [10–7]
Win11–11Mar 2011Monterrey Open, Mexico (2)InternationalHard Barbora Záhlavová-Strýcová Anna-Lena Grönefeld
Vania King
6–7(8–10), 6–2, [10–6]
Win12–11May 2011Barcelona Open, SpainInternationalClay Barbora Záhlavová-Strýcová Natalie Grandin
Vladimíra Uhlířová
5–7, 6–4, [11–9]
Win13–11Oct 2011Luxembourg Open (3)InternationalHard (i) Barbora Záhlavová-Strýcová Lucie Hradecká
Ekaterina Makarova
7–5, 6–3
Win14–11Apr 2012Stuttgart Open, GermanyPremierClay (i) Barbora Záhlavová-Strýcová Julia Görges
Anna-Lena Grönefeld
6–4, 7–5
Loss14–12Mar 2014Mexican OpenInternationalHard Petra Cetkovská Kristina Mladenovic
Galina Voskoboeva
3–6, 6–2, [5–10]

ITF finals

Singles: 5 (4 titles, 1 runner–up)

Legend
$75,000 tournaments
$50,000 tournaments
$25,000 tournaments
$10,000 tournaments
Resultclass=unsortableW–LDateTournamentTierSurfaceOpponentclass=unsortableScore
Win1–0May 2001ITF Prešov, Slovakia10,000Clay Michala Bzduseková3–6, 6–2, 6–2
Win2–0Oct 2001ITF Opole, Poland25,000Carpet (i) Eva Fislová6–1, 6–3
Win3–0Feb 2004ITF Ortisei, Italy75,000Carpet (i) Virág Németh6–3, 6–1
Win4–0Mar 2008ITF Latina, Italy50,000Clay6–0, 6–2
Loss4–1Apr 2008ITF Torhout, Belgium75,000Hard (i) Elena Baltacha7–6(5), 1–6, 4–6

Doubles: 8 (4 titles, 4 runner–ups)

Legend
$75,000 tournaments
$50,000 tournaments
$25,000 tournaments
$10,000 tournaments
Resultclass=unsortableW–LDateTournamentTierSurfacePartnerOpponentsclass=unsortableScore
Win1–0Jul 2000Bella Cup, Poland10,000Clay Lenka Novotná Gabriela Chmelinová
Jana Macurová
6–1, 6–4
Loss1–1Dec 2000ITF Mallorca, Spain10,000Clay Lenka Novotná Olga Vymetálková
Gabriela Chmelinová
3–5, 4–2, 4–0, 1–4, 2–4
Win2–1Mar 2001ITF Rome, Italy10,000Clay Zuzana Kučová Claudia Ivone
Roberta Vinci
4–6, 6–4, 6–4
Win3–1May 2001ITF Szczecin, Poland10,000Clay Martina Babáková Anastassia Belova
Darya Kustova
6–4, 7–6(4)
Loss3–2Apr 2002Open de Cagnes-sur-Mer, France50,000Clay Caroline Dhenin Dally Randriantefy
Stéphanie Cohen-Aloro
2–6, 4–6
Loss3–3Sep 2003ITF Bordeaux, France75,000Clay Olga Vymetálková Maret Ani
Libuše Průšová
3–6, 4–6
Loss 3–4Dec 2003ITF Ostrava, Czech Republic25,000Carpet (i) Michaela Paštiková Libuše Průšová
Barbora Strýcová
2–6, 4–6
Win4–4Dec 2003ITF Valašské Meziříčí, Czech Republic25,000Hard (i) Michaela Paštiková Maret Ani
Libuše Průšová
walkover

Top 10 wins

OpponentRankEventSurfaceRoundScore
align=center colspan="8" 2005
1. Vera ZvonarevaNo. 10Charleston Open, United StatesClay (g)2R6–4, 4–6, 7–5No. 51
align=center colspan="8" 2006
2. Mary PierceNo. 5Australian Openbgcolor=#ccfHard2R6–3, 7–5No. 42
align=center colspan="8" 2010
3. Jelena Jankovićbgcolor=#9cfNo. 3Canadian Openbgcolor=#ccfHard2R7–6(7–3), 6–3No. 75
align=center colspan="8" 2012
4. Samantha StosurNo. 6Brisbane International, Australiabgcolor=#ccfHard2R6–4, 6–2No. 54

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ten years of Djokovic and Ivanovic at the Grand Slams. The Roar. 17 January 2015. 17 January 2015.
  2. News: Venus Oz Open jinx continues, mixed luck for Indians. The Statesman. 23 January 2009.
  3. News: Australian Open 2011: Home hopes crushed as Sam Stosur exits . 23 October 2020 . The Guardian . 22 January 2011.
  4. News: Australian Open 2011: Kim Clijsters tested but reaches quarter-finals . 23 October 2020 . The Guardian . 24 January 2011.
  5. News: Melzer-Benesova win Wimbledon mixed doubles title. 3 July 2011. The Sacramento Bee. 4 July 2011.
  6. News: Straight win in mixed doubles. 5 July 2011. The Mercury. 44.
  7. Web site: Jürgen Melzers Ehe ist gescheitert. www.news.at. News Networld. 10 June 2015.
  8. Web site: Open Letter. Iveta Benesova. 15 July 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150716020238/http://www.ivetabenesova.com/main-page/2015/7/14/4v6gks6z5r0ptztil4jh8lkjen9uvr. 16 July 2015.