Klára Koukalová

Klára Koukalová

Koukalová at the 2014 Kremlin Cup
Country (sports)	Czech Republic
Residence	Prague, Czech Republic
Born	(1982-02-24) 24 February 1982 Prague, Czechoslovakia
Height	1.66 m (5 ft 5 1⁄2 in)
Turned pro	1999
Retired	2016
Plays	Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Prize money	$4,084,344
Singles
Career record	510–434
Career titles	3 WTA, 7 ITF
Highest ranking	20 (15 April 2013)
Grand Slam Singles results
Australian Open	3R (2003)
French Open	4R (2012)
Wimbledon	4R (2010)
US Open	1R (2003–08, 2010–15)
Other tournaments
Olympic Games	1R (2004, 2008, 2012)
Doubles
Career record	105–147
Career titles	4 WTA, 0 ITF
Highest ranking	31 (19 May 2014)
Grand Slam Doubles results
Australian Open	2R (2008, 2011, 2014)
French Open	3R (2012)
Wimbledon	2R (2010, 2011, 2014)
US Open	3R (2014)
Mixed doubles
Grand Slam Mixed Doubles results
Wimbledon	1R (2014)
US Open	1R (2014)
Team competitions
Fed Cup	10–5

Klára Koukalová (formerly Zakopalová; born 24 February 1982) is a retired Czech tennis player. She was born and still lives in Prague.

Career

2003

Koukalová made her Grand Slam debut at the 2003 Australian Open, defeating fellow qualifier and Grand Slam debutante Maria Sharapova in the first round before going on to upset sixth-seed Monica Seles in the second round. Koukalová's run ended in the third round.

2006

In January 2006, she played comeback player Martina Hingis, at the WTA tournament in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, where she lost in the second round. Koukalová was seeded 29th at the 2006 Australian Open, but lost in the first round to Ekaterina Bychkova. In that year, Koukalová had ten first-round losses in singles and failed to win a doubles match.

2008

In 2008, Koukalová reached the final of the inaugural Cachantun Cup in Chile. She played the top seed Flavia Pennetta, but was forced to retire due to a sprained ankle. This also forced her to withdraw from the next tournament in Bogotá, where she had made the quarterfinals in 2007.

2009

Koukalová's biggest win came at the 2009 Andalucia Tennis Experience in Marbella, Spain. She defeated world number 1 and ten-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams in three sets. Williams was also her first round opponent at the 2009 French Open, where Koulalová lost.

2010

Koukalová gained another good win over a top-5 player, defeating Dinara Safina in the first round of the 2010 Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open.

In the first round of the 2010 Polsat Warsaw Open, Koukalová caused a big upset by defeating fourth seed and world number 14 Marion Bartoli. She was then defeated by world number 205 Gréta Arn in the second round.

At the 2010 Wimbledon Championships, Koukalová advanced to the fourth round for the first time at a Grand Slam. She scored upset wins over 18th seed Aravane Rezaï and tenth seed Flavia Pennetta, before falling to qualifier Kaia Kanepi.

Koukalová made the final at the 2010 e-Boks Danish Open, where she lost to then world number 3 Caroline Wozniacki. Koukalová defeated Rossana de los Rios, Tatjana Malek, Sorana Cîrstea, and Li Na en route to the final. After this tournament, she could not match her performance as she went on to do poorly in her last four tournaments, only advancing to the second round at the 2010 Generali Ladies Linz, where she lost to Patty Schnyder.

2011

Koukalová started her 2011 season at the Hobart International, after having to withdraw from the Brisbane International. She made the semifinals in Hobart, upsetting the top seeded Marion Bartoli in the quarterfinals, before falling to her doubles partner Jarmila Groth.

At the 2011 Australian Open, Koukalová defeated American Melanie Oudin in three sets in the first round, before falling to fellow Czech Lucie Šafářová in three sets in the second round. This was Koukalová's first victory at the Australian Open since 2003.

Koukalová was seeded 31st for the 2011 French Open, her first seeding at a Grand Slam since 2006. She was upset in the first round by Taiwanese qualifier Chan Yung-jan.

After her defeat at Roland Garros, Koukalová traveled to Copenhagen to defend her finalist points from the year before. Seeded second, she was upset in the first round by German Kathrin Wörle.

Koukalová then returned to the site of her greatest Grand Slam accomplishment, Wimbledon. Unseeded, she came from a set down to defeat British wildcard Emily Webley-Smith in the first round. In the second round, she avenged her Australian Open loss by upsetting 31st seed Lucie Šafářová in three sets. In the third round, Koukalová fell to eventual finalist Maria Sharapova.

After Wimbledon, Koukalová made the semifinals in Budapest, where she lost to the eventual champion Roberta Vinci, and then made the quarterfinals in Palermo, where she lost to eventual finalist Polona Hercog.

2013

Klara Zakapalova 2013 Indian Wells

Koukalová played in the 2013 US Open and lost in the first round to Hsieh Su-wei. Remarkably, this was her tenth first round loss at the US Open out of 10 appearances in the main draw.

2014

Zakopalová began her year by competing at the 2014 Shenzhen Open. As the 3rd seed and last year finalist, she defeated Donna Vekić in the 1st round 6–3, 7–5. In the 2nd round, she lost to Patricia Mayr-Achleitner 7–6(2), 6–4. ^[1] In doubles, Zakopalová and Monica Niculescu won the title defeating Lyudmyla Kichenok/Nadiia Kichenok 6–3, 6–4. Seeded 7th at the 2014 Hobart International, Zakopalová reached the final by defeating Yvonne Meusburger 7–5, 6–2; Shuai Zhang 6–1, 6–2; Alison Riske 6–4, 7–5; and 1st seed Samantha Stosur 6–3, 6–2. In the final, Zakopalová lost to qualifier Garbiñe Muguruza 6–4, 6–0. ^[2] However, in doubles, Zakopalová and Niculescu won the title defeating Lisa Raymond/Shuai Zhang 6–2, 6–7(5), 10–8. ^[3] At the 2014 Australian Open, Zakopalová lost in the 1st round to 17th seed Samantha Stosur 6–3, 6–4. ^[4]

At the 2014 Open GDF Suez, Zakopalová defeated wildcard Caroline Garcia in the 1st round 7–6(4), 6–2. In the 2nd round, she lost to 4th seed and 2012 Open GDF Suez Champion Angelique Kerber 6–2, 7–5. Playing against Spain at the 2014 Fed Cup World Group, Zakopalová won her 1st rubber over María Teresa Torró Flor 6–3, 2–6, 6–1. She lost her 2nd rubber to Carla Suárez Navarro 1–6, 6–3, 6–3. In the end, the Czech Republic defeated Spain 3–2. At the 2014 Qatar Total Open, Zakopalová beat Elina Svitolina in the 1st round 6–2, 6–4. In the 2nd round, she upset 9th seed Ana Ivanovic 4–6, 6–1, 6–3. ^[5] In the 3rd round, Zakopalová lost to 6th seed and eventual finalist Angelique Kerber 6–2, 6–3. At the 1st edition of the 2014 Rio Open, Zakopalová was the 1st seed. She reached the final by defeating Mariana Duque Mariño 6–4, 6–4; Sílvia Soler Espinosa 6–4, 6–1; Katarzyna Piter 6–4, 6–0; and Brazilian Teliana Pereira 6–2, 6–1. In the final, Zakopalová lost to 5th seed Kurumi Nara 6–1, 4–6, 6–1. ^[6] Zakopalová, as the 3rd seed, reached the final of the 2014 Brasil Tennis Cup by defeating Donna Vekić 6–3, 6–3; qualifier Alizé Lim 6–3, 6–3; qualifier Alexandra Dulgheru 6–3, 5–2 ret.; and 1st seed Carla Suárez Navarro 6–3, 3–6, 6–2. In the final, Zakopalová defeated 2nd seed Garbiñe Muguruza 4–6, 7–5, 6–0 to win her 3rd WTA singles title. ^[7] At the 2014 BNP Paribas Open, Zakopalová was the 28th seed; she also received a bye into the 2nd round. In the 2nd round, she lost to compatriot Karolína Plíšková 7–5, 6–2. At the 2014 Sony Open Tennis, Zakopalová was the 27th seed; she again received a bye to the 2nd round. She lost in the 2nd round to Caroline Garcia 7–6(3), 7–6(3). After Miami, Zakopalová switched back to her maiden name, Koukalová.

At the 2014 BNP Paribas Katowice Open, Koukalová was seeded 5th. She defeated Magda Linette in the 1st round 6–4, 6–3 and Annika Beck in the 2nd round 4–6, 6–3, 6–1. In the quarterfinals, Koukalová lost to 4th seed and eventual champion Alizé Cornet 6–2, 0–6, 6–2. In doubles, she and Niculescu reached the final where they lost to Yuliya Beygelzimer/Olga Savchuk 6–4, 5–7, 10–7.

Koukalová began her clay court season at the 2014 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. She lost in the 1st round to 8th seed Sara Errani 6–3, 6–4. At the 2014 Mutua Madrid Open, Koukalová lost in the 1st round to 8th seed and eventual champion Maria Sharapova 6–1, 6–2. Playing at the 2014 Sparta Prague Open in her country, Koukalová lost in the 1st round to eventual champion Heather Watson 6–2, 6–4. Seeded 3rd at the 2014 Nürnberger Versicherungscup, Koukalová lost in the 1st round to Polona Hercog 1–6, 6–2, 6–1. Seeded 30th at the 2014 French Open, Koukalová lost in the 1st round to María Teresa Torró Flor 7–6(4), 6–2.

Koukalová began her grass court season at the 2014 Aegon Classic. Seeded 6th, Koukalová also received a 1st round bye. In the 2nd round, she defeated Virginie Razzano 5–7, 7–6(5), 7–6(0). In the 3rd round, she defeated Coco Vandeweghe 3–6, 7–6(3), 6–4. In the quarterfinals, Koukalová lost to 1st seed and eventual champion Ana Ivanovic 6–1, 6–4.

In September 2016 Koukalová announced her retirement from professional tennis.^[8]

Personal life

On 6 June 2006, Klára married Czech footballer Jan Zakopal,^[9] but they divorced in January 2014.^[10] From June 2006 to March 2014, she used her married name Zakopalová while competing, switching back to Koukalová in April 2014.

WTA finals

Singles (3–12)

Outcome	No.	Date	Tournament	Surface	Opponent	Score
Runner-up	1.	20 May 2001	Belgian Open, Antwerp, Belgium	Clay	Barbara Rittner	3–6, 2–6
Runner-up	2.	14 July 2002	Grand Prix SAR, Casablanca, Morocco	Clay	Patricia Wartusch	7–5, 3–6, 3–6
Runner-up	3.	2 August 2003	Idea Prokom Open, Sopot, Poland (1)	Clay	Anna Smashnova	2–6, 0–6
Runner-up	4.	19 June 2004	Ordina Open, 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands	Grass	Mary Pierce	6–7(6–8), 2–6
Runner-up	5.	14 August 2004	Idea Prokom Open, Sopot, Poland (2)	Clay	Flavia Pennetta	5–7, 6–3, 3–6
Winner	1.	18 June 2005	Ordina Open, 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands	Grass	Lucie Šafářová	3–6, 6–2, 6–2
Runner-up	6.	24 July 2005	Internazionali Femminili di Palermo, Palermo, Italy	Clay	Anabel Medina	4–6, 0–6
Winner	2.	25 September 2005	Banka Koper Slovenia Open, Portorož, Slovenia	Hard	Katarina Srebotnik	6–2, 4–6, 6–3
Runner-up	7.	17 February 2008	Cachantún Cup, Viña del Mar, Chile	Clay	Flavia Pennetta	4–6, 4–5 ret.
Runner-up	8.	8 August 2010	e-Boks Danish Open, Copenhagen, Denmark	Carpet (i)	Caroline Wozniacki	2–6, 6–7(5–7)
Runner-up	9.	26 September 2010	Hansol Korea Open, Seoul, South Korea	Hard	Alisa Kleybanova	1–6, 3–6
Runner-up	10.	6 January 2013	Shenzhen Open, Shenzhen, China	Hard	Li Na	3–6, 6–1, 5–7
Runner-up	11.	11 January 2014	Hobart International, Hobart, Australia	Hard	Garbiñe Muguruza	4–6, 0–6
Runner-up	12.	23 February 2014	Rio Open, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil	Clay	Kurumi Nara	1–6, 6–4, 1–6
Winner	3.	1 March 2014	Brasil Tennis Cup, Florianópolis, Brazil	Hard	Garbiñe Muguruza	4–6, 7–5, 6–0

Doubles (4–6)

Outcome	No.	Date	Tournament	Surface	Partner	Opponents	Score
Runner-up	1.	17 September 2001	Bell Challenge, Quebec City, Canada	Hard (i)	Alena Vašková	Samantha Reeves Adriana Serra Zanetti	5–7, 6–4, 3–6
Runner-up	2.	25 July 2009	Banka Koper Slovenia Open, Portorož, Slovenia	Hard	Camille Pin	Julia Görges Vladimíra Uhlířová	4–6, 2–6
Runner-up	3.	24 October 2009	Kremlin Cup, Moscow, Russia	Hard	Maria Kondratieva	Maria Kirilenko Nadia Petrova	2–6, 2–6
Winner	1.	18 June 2011	UNICEF Open, 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands	Grass	Barbora Záhlavová-Strýcová	Dominika Cibulková Flavia Pennetta	1–6, 6–4, [10–7]
Runner-up	4.	16 July 2011	Internazionali Femminili di Palermo, Palermo, Italy	Clay	Andrea Hlaváčková	Sara Errani Roberta Vinci	5–7, 1–6
Runner-up	5.	22 June 2013	Aegon International, Eastbourne, United Kingdom	Grass	Monica Niculescu	Nadia Petrova Katarina Srebotnik	3–6, 3–6
Winner	2.	21 July 2013	Swedish Open, Båstad, Sweden	Clay	Anabel Medina Garrigues	Alexandra Dulgheru Flavia Pennetta	6–1, 6–4
Winner	3.	4 January 2014	Shenzhen Open, Shenzhen, China	Hard	Monica Niculescu	Lyudmyla Kichenok Nadiia Kichenok	6–3, 6–4
Winner	4.	11 January 2014	Hobart International, Hobart, Australia	Hard	Monica Niculescu	Lisa Raymond Zhang Shuai	6–2, 6–7(5–7), [10–8]
Runner-up	6.	13 April 2014	Katowice Open, Katowice, Poland	Hard (i)	Monica Niculescu	Yuliya Beygelzimer Olga Savchuk	4–6, 7–5, [7–10]

Grand Slam performance timeline

Singles

Doubles

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Klára Koukalová.

• Klára Koukalová at the Women's Tennis Association
• Klára Koukalová at the International Tennis Federation
• Klára Koukalová at the Fed Cup