Ivo Minar

Began playing at age of three with his older brother Jan (born Apr. 9, 1971), who reached a career-high No. 177 on May 5, 2008. Nicknamed "Mini". Won European Junior Championships in Klosters, Switzerland at age 16 (d. Berdych) and teamed with Berdych to win doubles. Idol growing up was Andre Agassi. Says he wanted to play at baseline like Agassi. Lives and trains in Prague at National Centrum. Considers clay his favorite surface. Coached by countryman Jan Bedan.

2001 -- Played in four Futures Events and best result was QF at Romania #2.

2002 -- Played entire season in Futures circuit, reaching QF at Czech Republic #3.

2003 -- Captured his first pro title at New Zealand Futures, defeating older brother Jan in final. Made Challenger debut in Kosice and beat Pescosolido in 1st RD before losing to Knowle in 2nd RD. Also runner-up at Czech Futures #5 (l. to Snobel).

2004 -- Compiled 24-16 Challenger record and improving over 250 ranking positions. Reached first Challenger final in Prague (l. to Hernych). Made ATP debut in Kitzbuhel and defeated Blanco before losing to Gaudio in 2nd RD. Advanced to indoor final at Groningen Challenger (l. to Wessels).

2005 -- Compiled his best season by reaching first ATP final, career high for match wins (11-13), a career-high ranking (No. 70) and career-high for prize money ($207,073). In just his second career ATP event, qualified into Sydney and reached final. Posted wins over Davydenko, Verdasco, Pavel and Stepanek before falling to Hewitt in final. Made ATP Masters Series debut as lucky loser in Miami and reached 2nd RD (d. Monaco, l. to Henman) and in Wimbledon debut, reached 2nd RD with win over Tabara (l. to Federer). In July, reached SF at Amersfoort, defeating Serra, Ventura and Puerta before falling to Calleri. Late in season, reached 2nd RD at Vienna (d. Kim, l. to Robredo). Was only match win after July. In Challengers, reached final at Prostejov (l. to Nieminen). Compiled a 13-9 Challenger record.

2006 -- Best results came in Challenger play, winning title at Ostrava (d. Granollers-Pujol) and reaching final at Biella (l. to Bolelli). Also SF at Prostejov (l. to Hrbaty). Struggled in ATP level events (1-14). In doubles, reached final at Belgrade Challenger (w/brother Jan).

2007 -- Finished just outside Top 100 (No. 110) with successful Challenger results. Compiled a 31-16 match record with titles in Freudenstadt (d. Prodon) and Busan (d. Troicki) and runner-up in Szczecin (l. to Roitman). Also SF at Cordoba, Alphen aan den Rijh and Seoul. Played in 1st RD Davis Cup tie vs. U.S. and lost to No. 4 Roddick in four sets in opening rubber. Closed season by advancing to QF at Kuala Lumpur Challenger.

2008

The Czech Republic native finished a year-end best with a personal-best 14 match wins, highlighted by one ATP QF and one Challenger title. Opened year with 2nd RD at Sydney (l. to Korolev) and 1st RD at Australian Open (l. to Hernandez). During Latin America swing, reached QF at Costa do Sauipe (l. to Fognini) and qualified for Buenos Aires and Acapulco. Advanced to AMS-best 3rd RD in Miami as qualifier, defeating O. Rochus and Chela (l. to Roddick). Also qualified for AMS events at Monte Carlo (l. to Ancic) and AMS Hamburg (d. Lopez, l. to Ferrer). Qualified five times into ATP level tournaments and reached career-high No. 64 on May 19. Other ATP match wins came en route to 3rd RD in New Haven (l. to Verdasco), and 2nd RD at Estoril, Queen's Club, Kitzbuhel and US Open (d. Kiefer, l. to Nieminen). In Challenger action in Korea in last two weeks of October, won Busan title (d. Bogomolov Jr.) and reached final in Seoul (l. to Lee)...Went 0-4 vs. Top 10 opponents (0-12 in career).