Building on her improved play over the summer, Caroline Wozniacki won her first tournament of the season at the 2016 Toray Pan Pacific Open. The former world #1, a semifinalist at the US Open earlier this month, took out Japan’s Naomi Osaka in the Tokyo final, 7-5 6-3. After being down 5-7 0-5, Osaka rallied … Continue reading
Back in June, in a warm-up for Wimbledon, Belinda Bencic won her first WTA title at the 2015 Aegon International by defeating Agnieszka Radwanska in three sets on grass. Aga just struck a measure of revenge on hard court by winning the 2015 Toray Pan-Pacific Open in straight sets over Bencic, 6-2 6-2. It’s the … Continue reading
Petra Kvitova capped a week of great play in Japan by winning the 2013 Toray Pan Pacific Open. The 2011 WTA Player of the Year showed what she is capable of when playing in conditions she favors. While Petra can sometimes melt in the summer heat of the American hard court season, she comes alive … Continue reading
I hoped that the match up between Petra Kvitova and Venus Williams in the semis of the 2013 Toray Pan Pacific Open would live up to expectations. It certainly did. Venus came out firing, looking like the Venus of old. She grabbed the first set 6-3 showing the form that made her a champion. Petra … Continue reading
The semifinals of the 2013 Toray Pan Pacific Open will feature the intriguing match-up of Petra Kvitova vs Venus Williams. In Petra, there is a player of incredible ability whose rise has been stymied by streaky play. She looks great at times. At other times, not so much. The 2011 Wimbledon champion handled both Madison … Continue reading
I took a long break from blogging following the US Open to recharge my batteries. It’s quite an eventful post that brings me back as the past and possible future of tennis was served on day 3 of the 2013 Toray Pan Pacific Open. Reaching into days past was Venus Williams, who has been a … Continue reading
It was probably bound to happen eventually anyway, but the WTA’s presence in China will grow to 5 events in 2014. Still, I have to think that Li Na’s success at Roland Garros, becoming the first Asian born player to win a tennis Major in singles, lit a flame of tennis interest in a country … Continue reading
Nadia Petrova showed why she is so dangerous…and also vulnerable…in the final of the 2012 Toray Pan Pacific Open. In the first set she could do no wrong, hitting pin point laser shots that blazed past overwhelmed foe, world #3 Agnieszka Radwanska. It was a display that reminded us why she can be a giant … Continue reading
9-time LPGA of Japan Tour winner Chie Arimura threw out a first at a Tokyo Giants (Yomiuri Giants) vs Hanshin Tigers baseball game. The JLPGA star said she was very nervous and apologized for not reaching the plate. My guess is she looked so kawaii that none of her fans care if she reached the … Continue reading
Former world #1 Maria Sharapova had her hopes of a 2011 Toray Pan Pacific Open title extinguished when she sprained her left ankle during the first set of her match against Petra Kvitova. The highly anticipated rematch of the 2011 Wimbledon final, which Kvitova won, was on serve at 4-3 in the opening set when … Continue reading
Fairways and Forehands 