What Is 1998 Toray Pan Pacific Open – Doubles

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1998 Toray Pan Pacific Open – Doubles was won by Lindsay Davenport and Jana Novotná, who defeated Mary Joe Fernández and Natasha Zvereva in the final with a score of 6–2, 6–2. The tournament took place from February 2 to February 8, 1998, in Tokyo, Japan, on indoor hard courts.

Key Facts

Lindsay Davenport and Jana Novotná won the 1998 doubles title with a 6–2, 6–2 final victory
The final match occurred between February 7 and 8, 1998, in Tokyo
Mary Joe Fernández and Natasha Zvereva were the losing finalists
The event was played on indoor hard courts at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium
This was the 15th edition of the Toray Pan Pacific Open

Overview

The 1998 Toray Pan Pacific Open – Doubles was a premier women’s tennis event held as part of the WTA Tour’s Tier I series. It featured top international doubles teams competing for ranking points and prize money during the early season indoor circuit.

Hosted in Tokyo, Japan, the tournament attracted a strong field due to its prestigious status and high-level competition. Played on indoor hard courts, it served as a key warm-up event for the upcoming Grand Slam season.

Lindsay Davenport and Jana Novotná claimed the title by defeating the experienced pair of Mary Joe Fernández and Natasha Zvereva in straight sets, 6–2, 6–2.
The final match took place on February 8, 1998, concluding a week-long tournament that began on February 2.
Matches were held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, a venue known for hosting major tennis and sporting events in Japan.
As a Tier I WTA event, the tournament offered significant ranking points and a total prize purse of over $3 million for singles and doubles combined.
This edition marked the 15th running of the Toray Pan Pacific Open, which began in 1984 and quickly became a staple of the women’s tennis calendar.

How It Works

The doubles format at the 1998 Toray Pan Pacific Open followed standard WTA rules, with teams competing in best-of-three sets, including tiebreaks at 6–6.

Format: The doubles competition used a 16-team draw, with seeded pairs receiving first-round byes. Matches were best-of-three sets with a match tiebreak in lieu of a third set if needed.
Court Surface: Played on indoor hard courts, the surface favored aggressive baseline play and strong serving, impacting team strategies and shot selection.
Seeding: Top seeds Davenport and Novotná were ranked among the world’s best, giving them favorable placement and avoiding early clashes with other top teams.
Scoring System: Standard WTA scoring applied, with sets won by the first team to win six games, provided they led by two games; otherwise, a seven-point tiebreak was played.
Tournament Structure: The event included three rounds: quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final, all completed within the week-long tournament window.
Player Eligibility: Entry was based on WTA rankings, with wild cards granted to local or notable players, though doubles teams required mutual registration and coordination.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 1998 doubles event compares to other key WTA doubles tournaments of the era:

Tournament	Year	Surface	Winning Pair	Final Score
1998 Toray Pan Pacific Open	1998	Indoor Hard	Lindsay Davenport / Jana Novotná	6–2, 6–2
1998 Australian Open	1998	Outdoor Hard	Martina Hingis / Mirjana Lučić	6–3, 6–3
1997 US Open	1997	Outdoor Hard	Gigi Fernández / Natasha Zvereva	6–3, 6–3
1998 French Open	1998	Clay	Arantxa Sánchez Vicario / Larisa Neiland	6–4, 6–4
1998 Wimbledon	1998	Grass	Novotná / Gigi Fernández	6–3, 3–6, 8–6

The 1998 Toray Pan Pacific Open stood out for its dominant straight-set final and the strong performance of the top-seeded pair. Unlike Grand Slam events, which often featured longer matches, this title was secured decisively, reflecting the high level of coordination and form from Davenport and Novotná.

Why It Matters

The 1998 doubles victory contributed to the legacies of both Davenport and Novotná during a transitional period in women’s tennis, highlighting teamwork and consistency on the WTA Tour.

Boosted Rankings: The win increased both players’ doubles rankings, helping secure seeding in future tournaments throughout the 1998 season.
Partnership Success: Though not a permanent team, Davenport and Novotná demonstrated strong on-court chemistry, winning multiple titles together that year.
Japanese Sponsorship: Toray Industries’ continued backing underscored the growing role of Asian sponsors in global tennis, influencing tournament locations and prize structures.
Preparation for Slams: The event served as a key preparatory tournament, allowing players to fine-tune strategies before the Australian Open and other majors.
Women’s Tennis Visibility: High-profile wins like this helped promote women’s doubles, often overshadowed by singles, to a broader international audience.
Historical Context: The 1998 edition occurred during a golden era of women’s tennis, featuring legends like Hingis, Seles, and Sabatini, enhancing the tournament’s prestige.

Overall, the 1998 Toray Pan Pacific Open – Doubles was more than just a title win—it was a milestone in seasonal preparation, player development, and the globalization of women’s professional tennis.