What Is 2018 Japan Women's Open

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2018 Japan Women's Open was a WTA International tennis tournament held from August 27 to September 2, 2018, in Osaka, Japan. Naomi Osaka won the singles title, defeating Jessica Pegula in the final with a score of 6–2, 6–3.

Key Facts

The 2018 Japan Women's Open took place from August 27 to September 2, 2018.
Naomi Osaka won the singles title, defeating Jessica Pegula 6–2, 6–3 in the final.
The tournament was held on outdoor hard courts at the Utsubo Tennis Center in Osaka.
It was part of the WTA International series with a prize money pool of $250,000.
Sara Errani and Aleksandra Krunić won the doubles title, defeating Risa Ozaki and Katarzyna Piter.

Overview

The 2018 Japan Women's Open was a professional women's tennis tournament played on outdoor hard courts at the Utsubo Tennis Center in Osaka. It was the 13th edition of the event and part of the WTA International series on the 2018 WTA Tour, offering ranking points and prize money to competitors.

Featuring a 32-player singles draw and a 16-team doubles draw, the tournament attracted several top-ranked players despite its smaller stature compared to Premier-level events. The week-long competition culminated in a final match that highlighted rising star Naomi Osaka, who claimed her first title on home soil.

August 27–September 2, 2018: The tournament spanned seven days, beginning with qualifying rounds and concluding with the singles and doubles finals.
Utsubo Tennis Center: Located in Osaka, this historic venue has hosted the Japan Women's Open since 2010 and features eight outdoor hard courts.
Naomi Osaka: Ranked No. 19 at the time, Osaka won her second career WTA title here, boosting her momentum ahead of the US Open.
Prize money: The event offered $250,000 in total prize money, standard for WTA International tournaments during the 2018 season.
Surface: Matches were played on DecoTurf hard courts, the same surface used at the US Open, aiding player preparation for the final Grand Slam of the year.

How It Works

The Japan Women's Open follows standard WTA tournament structure, featuring singles and doubles competitions with seeding based on player rankings. Players earn WTA ranking points based on how far they advance, and prize money is distributed according to performance.

WTA International: This classification is one tier below WTA Premier events, offering 280 ranking points to the singles champion and attracting players ranked outside the top 10.
Singles draw: A 32-player main draw includes direct acceptances, qualifiers, and wildcards, with matches played in best-of-three sets format.
Doubles format: The 16-team draw uses a knockout format, with teams earning points and a share of the $250,000 prize pool.
Player entry: Entry is based on WTA rankings eight weeks before the event, with wildcards often given to local players like Japanese hopefuls.
Match scheduling: Early rounds are played across multiple courts, while the finals are held on September 2, the week before the US Open begins.
Surface preparation: The hard courts are maintained weekly to ensure consistent bounce and speed, critical for player performance and injury prevention.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2018 Japan Women's Open compares to other WTA events in terms of scale, prize money, and player participation:

Tournament	Category	Prize Money	Champion Points	Location
Japan Women's Open 2018	WTA International	$250,000	280	Osaka, Japan
Italian Open 2018	WTA Premier 5	$2,900,000	900	Rome, Italy
Cincinnati Open 2018	WTA Premier 5	$1,327,000	900	Ohio, USA
New Haven Open 2018	WTA International	$250,000	280	Connecticut, USA
Australian Open 2018	Grand Slam	$4,100,000	2000	Melbourne, Australia

The Japan Women's Open sits firmly in the mid-tier of WTA events, offering the same prize purse and ranking points as other International-level tournaments. Its timing just before the US Open makes it a strategic warm-up for players seeking match readiness on hard courts.

Why It Matters

The 2018 Japan Women's Open played a pivotal role in shaping the momentum of several players, most notably Naomi Osaka, whose victory marked a turning point in her breakthrough season. The tournament also highlighted Japan’s growing influence in women’s tennis and provided valuable exposure for Asian athletes on home soil.

Naomi Osaka's rise: Her win in Osaka propelled her confidence, leading directly to her US Open championship two weeks later, defeating Serena Williams in the final.
Regional significance: As one of the few WTA events in Asia, it strengthens tennis development and fan engagement in East and Southeast Asia.
Player preparation: The event serves as a key hard-court tune-up for the US Open, helping players adjust to similar playing conditions.
Local inspiration: Japanese players like Ai Sugiyama and Risa Ozaki have used wildcard entries to gain experience and inspire younger generations.
Media exposure: The tournament receives extensive coverage in Japan, boosting sponsorship and visibility for women's professional tennis.
Pathway for newcomers: Qualifying rounds and wildcards offer emerging players a chance to compete against higher-ranked opponents and earn crucial ranking points.

Overall, the 2018 Japan Women's Open was more than just a regional tournament—it was a catalyst for global tennis narratives and a symbol of the sport's expanding reach beyond traditional Western strongholds.