What Is 2017 Japan Women's Open – Doubles

Overview

The 2017 Japan Women's Open – Doubles was a prominent stop on the WTA Tour, held in Osaka, Japan, from September 11 to September 16, 2017. The tournament featured a 16-team doubles draw, showcasing international talent competing on hard courts during the Asian swing of the season.

As a WTA International-level event, the Japan Women's Open offered ranking points and prize money, attracting both rising stars and experienced doubles specialists. The final saw a breakthrough victory for the Japanese duo of Shuko Aoyama and Ena Shibahara, who triumphed in front of a home crowd.

• Shuko Aoyama and Ena Shibahara captured their first WTA doubles title as a team, marking a significant milestone in their careers during the 2017 season.
• The final match occurred on September 16, 2017, concluding the tournament with a straight-sets victory over the Australian pair Monique Adamczak and Storm Sanders.
• The winning pair defeated Adamczak and Sanders with a score of 6–4, 6–4, demonstrating consistent baseline play and strong net coordination throughout the match.
• This victory gave Aoyama her third career WTA doubles title, while it was Shibahara’s first at the WTA Tour level, highlighting her emergence on the international stage.
• The tournament was played on outdoor hard courts at the Utsubo Tennis Center, a venue known for its fast-paced playing conditions and enthusiastic local support.

How It Works

The Japan Women's Open – Doubles followed standard WTA doubles tournament structure, with seeding, match formats, and scoring rules consistent across the tour.

• Format: The doubles event used a 16-team single-elimination draw, with seeded teams placed to avoid early matchups; matches were best-of-three sets with a match tiebreak in the third set.
• Seeding: The top four seeds received first-round byes, and Shuko Aoyama was seeded based on her WTA ranking, enhancing her path through the draw.
• Scoring: Each set required a player to win by two games, with a tiebreak at 6–6; the final set used a 10-point match tiebreak if it reached one set all.
• Surface: The hard court surface at Utsubo Tennis Center favored aggressive baseline players and fast transitions, influencing team strategies throughout the week.
• Team Composition: Doubles teams could be formed by players from different countries, but in this case, Aoyama and Shibahara represented Japan as a national pair.
• Prize Money: The 2017 event offered a total purse of $226,750, with the doubles champions splitting $11,000 in prize money and earning 280 ranking points.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2017 Japan Women's Open – Doubles compared to similar WTA events in terms of structure and rewards.

While the Japan Women's Open offered standard rewards for a WTA International event, it provided crucial ranking points and visibility for players preparing for the season-ending WTA Finals. Its position in the calendar made it a strategic stop for players adjusting to Asian time zones and court speeds.

Why It Matters

The 2017 Japan Women's Open – Doubles was significant for both national pride and player development on the WTA Tour.

• Homegrown success was celebrated as Aoyama and Shibahara became the first all-Japanese team to win the doubles title since the tournament’s inception in 2009.
• Ena Shibahara’s breakthrough performance signaled her arrival on the WTA stage, paving the way for future Grand Slam success in doubles.
• The tournament highlighted the growing strength of Japanese tennis, following Naomi Osaka’s rise in singles and increasing domestic interest in women’s tennis.
• Winning on home soil provided valuable media exposure and sponsorship opportunities for both players, especially Shibahara, who was still early in her professional career.
• The event served as a key preparation tournament for the WTA Finals, allowing players to fine-tune their game on fast hard courts similar to those in Singapore.
• It reinforced the importance of doubles specialization in women’s tennis, where teamwork, chemistry, and tactical awareness are critical for success.

The 2017 Japan Women's Open – Doubles not only delivered exciting tennis but also contributed to the broader narrative of emerging talent and national representation in the sport.