Japan Women’s Open: Past Champions (2009-2024)
The Japan Women’s Open Tennis tournament, an event affiliated with the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), has been a part of the professional tennis calendar since 2009. As a successor to the Japan Open, a combined ATP and WTA event that ran until 2008, the tournament was founded as a women-only competition. Over the years, it has held different categories, initially as an “International” tournament from 2009 to 2019, and then as a WTA 250 event from 2023 onwards. The tournament has also been held in different locations, beginning in Osaka before moving to Tokyo, then Hiroshima, and finally returning to Osaka. The following article details the past winners of both the singles and doubles events from its inception until 2024.
Singles Champions
The singles event has seen a diverse group of champions since 2009, with some players claiming multiple titles.
- 2024: Suzan Lamens (Osaka)
In 2024, Suzan Lamens of the Netherlands won the singles title by defeating Australian Kimberly Birrell with a score of 6–3, 6–3. The tournament was held in Osaka.
- 2023: Ashlyn Krueger (Osaka)
The tournament’s return to Osaka in 2023 saw American Ashlyn Krueger secure her first title at the event. She defeated Zhu Lin of China in a hard-fought final with a score of 6–3, 7–6(8-6). The 2020 and 2021 editions were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the 2022 event was cancelled due to a financial crisis.
- 2019: Nao Hibino (Hiroshima)
Japanese player Nao Hibino captured the 2019 singles title in Hiroshima, winning against her compatriot Misaki Doi with a score of 6–3, 6–2.
- 2018: Hsieh Su-wei (Hiroshima)
The 2018 title was won by Hsieh Su-wei from Chinese Taipei, who beat American Amanda Anisimova 6–2, 6–2 in the final.
- 2017: Zarina Diyas (Tokyo)
Zarina Diyas of Kazakhstan took home the championship in 2017 in Tokyo, defeating Japan’s Miyu Kato 6–2, 7–5.
- 2016: Christina McHale (Tokyo)
In 2016, American Christina McHale won a three-set final against Kateřina Siniaková of the Czech Republic with a score of 3–6, 6–4, 6–4.
- 2015: Yanina Wickmayer (Tokyo)
The 2015 tournament in Tokyo saw Belgian Yanina Wickmayer triumph over Magda Linette of Poland in another three-set match, 4–6, 6–3, 6–3.
- Samantha Stosur’s Dominance (2009, 2013, 2014)
Australian Samantha Stosur holds the record for the most singles titles at the Japan Women’s Open, winning three championships. Her first victory came in the inaugural 2009 event in Osaka, where she defeated Italy’s Francesca Schiavone 7–5, 6–1. She returned to the winner’s circle in 2013, beating Eugenie Bouchard of Canada 3–6, 7–5, 6–2. Her third and final title came in 2014, a straight-sets win over Zarina Diyas, 7–6(9-7), 6-3. Stosur also reached the final in 2011, but lost to Marion Bartoli.
Other Notable Singles Champions
- 2012: Heather Watson from Great Britain defeated Chang Kai-chen of Chinese Taipei 7–5, 5–7, 7–6(7-4).
- 2011: Marion Bartoli of France defeated Samantha Stosur 6–3, 6–1.
- 2010: Tamarine Tanasugarn of Thailand won against local favorite Kimiko Date-Krumm 7–5, 6–7(4-7), 6–1.
Doubles Champions
The doubles competition has also produced a list of accomplished champions, with a number of teams and individual players finding success.
- 2024: Ena Shibahara and Laura Siegemund (Osaka)
The 2024 doubles title was claimed by the team of Ena Shibahara and Laura Siegemund, who defeated Cristina Bucșa and Monica Niculescu in a match with a final score of 3–6, 6–2, [10–2].
- 2023: Anna-Lena Friedsam and Nadiia Kichenok (Osaka)
In 2023, the team of Anna-Lena Friedsam and Nadiia Kichenok won the doubles title by defeating Anna Kalinskaya and Yulia Putintseva, 7–6(7-3), 6–3.
- 2019: Misaki Doi and Nao Hibino (Hiroshima)
Japanese duo Misaki Doi and Nao Hibino won the doubles title in 2019 in Hiroshima. They beat Christina McHale and Valeria Savinykh with a score of 3–6, 6–4, [10–4].
- 2018: Eri Hozumi and Zhang Shuai (Hiroshima)
Eri Hozumi and Zhang Shuai took the 2018 doubles championship, defeating Miyu Kato and Makoto Ninomiya 6–2, 6–4.
- Shuko Aoyama’s Doubles Success
Japanese player Shuko Aoyama is a prominent name in the tournament’s doubles history. She won three titles with different partners.
- 2017: Aoyama won with Yang Zhaoxuan, defeating Monique Adamczak and Storm Sanders 6–0, 2–6, [10–5].
- 2016: She partnered with Makoto Ninomiya to win against Jocelyn Rae and Anna Smith with a score of 6–3, 6–3.
- 2014: Her first title was won alongside Renata Voráčová, where they beat Lara Arruabarrena and Tatjana Maria 6–1, 6–2.
Other Notable Doubles Champions
- 2015: Chan Hao-ching and Chan Yung-jan won against Misaki Doi and Kurumi Nara 6–1, 6–2.
- 2013: Kristina Mladenovic and Flavia Pennetta were the champions, defeating Samantha Stosur and Zhang Shuai 6–4, 6–3.
- 2012: Raquel Kops-Jones and Abigail Spears won against Kimiko Date-Krumm and Heather Watson with a score of 6–1, 6–4.
- 2011: Kimiko Date-Krumm and Zhang Shuai defeated Vania King and Yaroslava Shvedova 7–5, 3–6, [11–9].
- 2010: Chang Kai-chen and Lilia Osterloh won against Shuko Aoyama and Rika Fujiwara 6–0, 6–3.
- 2009: Chuang Chia-jung and Lisa Raymond won the inaugural doubles title, defeating Chanelle Scheepers and Abigail Spears 6–2, 6–4.
The tournament’s history of champions showcases a variety of international talent and has provided a stage for both well-known players and up-and-coming athletes to make their mark on the WTA Tour.
