What Is 1996 Toray Pan Pacific Open - Doubles

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1996 Toray Pan Pacific Open – Doubles was won by Lindsay Davenport and Natasha Zvereva, who defeated Gigi Fernández and Jana Novotná in the final 6–3, 6–4. The tournament took place from February 26 to March 3, 1996, in Tokyo, Japan, on indoor hard courts.

Key Facts

Lindsay Davenport and Natasha Zvereva won the 1996 doubles title with a 6–3, 6–4 victory
The final match occurred on March 3, 1996, in Tokyo, Japan
The tournament was played on indoor hard courts
Gigi Fernández and Jana Novotná were the defending champions but lost in the final
This was Davenport and Zvereva’s first title together at the Pan Pacific Open

Overview

The 1996 Toray Pan Pacific Open – Doubles was a prominent women's professional tennis event held as part of the WTA Tour. It featured top-ranked doubles teams competing for ranking points and prize money on indoor hard courts in Tokyo.

Organized by the Women's Tennis Association, the tournament attracted a strong international field. The 1996 edition marked the 13th year of the event and showcased high-level doubles play under competitive conditions.

Lindsay Davenport and Natasha Zvereva claimed the title by defeating the top-seeded pair of Gigi Fernández and Jana Novotná in straight sets, 6–3, 6–4.
The final match was held on March 3, 1996, concluding a week-long tournament that began on February 26 at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium.
This victory marked Zvereva’s second Pan Pacific Open doubles title, having previously won in 1994 with Larisa Neiland.
Davenport, then 19 years old, earned her first major doubles title at this event, signaling the start of a successful partnership with Zvereva.
The tournament used indoor hard courts, a surface known for fast rallies and consistent bounce, favoring aggressive net play and strong serves.

How It Works

The structure of the 1996 Toray Pan Pacific Open followed standard WTA doubles tournament protocols, including seeding, draw placement, and best-of-three-set matches. Below are key elements that defined the competition format and player dynamics.

Draw Size: The doubles draw featured 16 teams, with eight seeded pairs receiving first-round byes. This format ensured top players entered in later rounds.
Seeding:Gigi Fernández and Jana Novotná were the top seeds based on their world rankings and past success, including a Grand Slam title in 1995.
Court Surface: Matches were played on indoor hard courts, which reduced weather interference and provided uniform playing conditions throughout the week.
Match Format: All doubles matches were played as best-of-three sets, with a match tiebreak (10 points) used in lieu of a full third set in some rounds.
Points and Prize Money: The winners received 300 WTA ranking points and a share of the $120,000 doubles prize pool, split among finalists and semifinalists.
Player Pairings: Teams were either pre-registered or formed through wild cards; Davenport and Zvereva teamed up last-minute, making their win more impressive.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 1996 doubles final stacks up against prior years and similar events in terms of player performance, format, and outcomes.

Year	Winners	Runners-up	Score	Surface
1996	Lindsay Davenport / Natasha Zvereva	Gigi Fernández / Jana Novotná	6–3, 6–4	Indoor Hard
1995	Jana Novotná / Arantxa Sánchez Vicario	Natalie Tauziat / Sandrine Testud	6–2, 6–3	Indoor Hard
1994	Larisa Neiland / Natasha Zvereva	Jill Hetherington / Kathy Rinaldi	6–4, 6–2	Indoor Hard
1993	Zina Garrison / Martina Navratilova	Gigi Fernández / Helena Suková	7–5, 6–3	Indoor Hard
1992	Gigi Fernández / Natalia Zvereva	Conchita Martínez / Arantxa Sánchez Vicario	6–3, 6–4	Indoor Hard

The 1996 final stood out due to the changing of the guard in women’s doubles. While Fernández and Novotná were dominant in 1995, their loss to Davenport and Zvereva signaled a shift toward younger, more versatile teams. The consistency of the indoor hard surface across years allowed for fair performance comparisons.

Why It Matters

The 1996 Toray Pan Pacific Open – Doubles had lasting significance in the WTA circuit, influencing doubles pairings and competitive dynamics in the mid-1990s. Its outcome reflected broader trends in player development and international collaboration.

Davenport’s emergence in doubles signaled her versatility, later helping her achieve a career Grand Slam in mixed and women’s doubles.
Zvereva extended her legacy, becoming one of the few players with over 100 career doubles titles, including multiple Grand Slams.
The tournament highlighted Japan’s role as a key WTA host, contributing to the globalization of women’s tennis.
Defeating the defending champions gave Davenport and Zvereva enhanced seeding and confidence for the upcoming 1996 Australian Open.
It demonstrated the value of ad hoc partnerships, as players from different countries teamed up for specific events, increasing strategic depth.
The event’s broadcast in over 60 countries helped popularize doubles tennis among casual fans and aspiring athletes.

Ultimately, the 1996 doubles final was more than a title match—it was a milestone in player careers and a showcase of the sport’s growing international appeal.