What Is 2007 Toray Pan Pacific Open

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2007 Toray Pan Pacific Open was a WTA Tour tennis tournament held in Tokyo, Japan, from February 26 to March 4, 2007. Maria Sharapova won the singles title, defeating Jelena Janković 4–6, 6–4, 6–3 in the final.

Key Facts

The 2007 Toray Pan Pacific Open took place from February 26 to March 4, 2007, in Tokyo, Japan.
Maria Sharapova won the singles title, defeating Jelena Janković 4–6, 6–4, 6–3 in the final.
The tournament was held at the Ariake Coliseum, an outdoor hardcourt venue.
It was a Premier-level event on the 2007 WTA Tour with a prize money pool of $1,300,000.
Serena Williams, the defending champion, withdrew before the tournament due to injury.

Overview

The 2007 Toray Pan Pacific Open was a prominent women's tennis tournament on the WTA Tour, held annually in Tokyo, Japan. It served as a key early-season hardcourt event, attracting top-ranked players preparing for the upcoming Grand Slam season.

Played at the Ariake Coliseum, the 2007 edition featured a 56-player singles draw and a 16-team doubles draw. The tournament was part of the WTA Premier category, offering significant ranking points and a total prize purse of $1,300,000.

Location: The tournament was hosted at the Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo, Japan, an outdoor hardcourt facility with a seating capacity of over 10,000 spectators.
Dates: The event ran from February 26 to March 4, 2007, serving as a major lead-in to the North American hardcourt swing.
Champion:Maria Sharapova claimed the singles title, winning her first Pan Pacific Open after a three-set victory over Jelena Janković in the final.
Defending champion:Serena Williams was the 2006 winner but withdrew from the 2007 event due to a shoulder injury sustained during the Australian Open.
Prize money: The tournament offered a total purse of $1,300,000, with Sharapova earning $220,000 for her victory.

How It Works

The Toray Pan Pacific Open followed standard WTA Premier tournament structure, featuring round-robin and knockout stages, with seeding based on world rankings.

Draw Size: The singles draw included 56 players, with 16 seeded athletes receiving first-round byes, while the doubles featured 16 teams.
Surface: Matches were played on outdoor hardcourts, specifically DecoTurf, the same surface used at the US Open, favoring aggressive baseline play.
Format: All matches were best-of-three sets, with a 12-point tiebreak in lieu of a third set if necessary, per WTA rules at the time.
Seeding: The top four seeds were Maria Sharapova, Jelena Janković, Daniela Hantuchová, and Anna Chakvetadze, based on WTA rankings at the entry deadline.
Ranking Points: The winner received 480 WTA ranking points, crucial for players aiming to improve their standings early in the season.
Player Participation: The field included eight of the world's top 10 players, highlighting the event’s prestige despite Serena Williams’ absence.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2007 Toray Pan Pacific Open compared to previous editions and similar events:

Year	Champion	Runner-up	Score	Prize Money
2007	Maria Sharapova	Jelena Janković	4–6, 6–4, 6–3	$1,300,000
2006	Serena Williams	Lindsay Davenport	6–1, 6–4	$1,300,000
2005	Martina Hingis	Shinobu Asagoe	4–6, 6–3, 6–3	$1,200,000
2004	Lindsay Davenport	Anastasia Myskina	6–4, 6–1	$1,100,000
2003	Kim Clijsters	Amélie Mauresmo	6–4, 6–2	$1,000,000

The 2007 tournament maintained consistent growth in prize money and competitive depth. While the format remained stable, the increasing number of top-10 participants underscored its rising importance on the WTA calendar. Sharapova’s win marked a breakthrough after missing the 2006 event due to scheduling conflicts.

Why It Matters

The 2007 Toray Pan Pacific Open was significant both for player development and the global reach of women’s tennis. It highlighted Japan’s role as a key host for international WTA events and provided critical ranking points early in the season.

Player momentum: Sharapova’s victory signaled her return to form, setting the stage for a strong 2007 campaign that included a Wimbledon final appearance.
Global exposure: Broadcast in over 80 countries, the tournament expanded the WTA’s footprint in Asia and boosted tennis popularity in Japan.
Financial impact: The $1.3 million purse made it one of the most lucrative non-Grand Slam events, attracting elite talent and increasing sponsorship interest.
Player development: Young stars like Janković and Chakvetadze gained valuable experience competing against top-tier opponents in high-pressure finals.
Historical context: This was the 24th edition of the tournament, continuing a tradition that began in 1984 and cemented its legacy in WTA history.
Injury insights: Serena Williams’ withdrawal highlighted the physical toll of the tennis calendar, prompting discussions about player workload and recovery.

Overall, the 2007 Toray Pan Pacific Open was a pivotal moment in the early 2007 WTA season, combining competitive excellence with growing global influence.