September 14, 2019

From Sawamatsu and Date to Osaka and Hibino: Japan's WTA champions in pictures

Nao Hibino defeated Misaki Doi to take the 2019 Hiroshima title in the second all-Japanese WTA Tour final in the Open Era. Take a look back at Japan's previous WTA singles titlists here.

Prior to the 1990s, three Japanese players took the Tokyo title: Kazuko Sawamatsu (pictured, left) in 1975, Etsuko Inoue in 1983 and Kumiko Okamoto in 1989 (Getty) — 01 /12

Prior to the 1990s, three Japanese players took the Tokyo title: Kazuko Sawamatsu (pictured, left) in 1975, Etsuko Inoue in 1983 and Kumiko Okamoto in 1989 (Getty)

Naoko Sawamatsu - Kazuko's niece - won four titles during the 1990s (Singapore 1990 and 1994, Strasbourg 1993 and Jakarta 1997) and peaked at World No.14 (Getty) — 02 /12

Naoko Sawamatsu - Kazuko's niece - won four titles during the 1990s (Singapore 1990 and 1994, Strasbourg 1993 and Jakarta 1997) and peaked at World No.14 (Getty)

The legendary Kimiko Date was the first Japanese player to reach the Top 5, peaking at World No.4 and winning eight titles, including a Tier I at Tokyo 1995 and Tier IIs at Sydney 1994 and San Diego 1996 (Getty) — 03 /12

The legendary Kimiko Date was the first Japanese player to reach the Top 5, peaking at World No.4 and winning eight titles, including a Tier I at Tokyo 1995 and Tier IIs at Sydney 1994 and San Diego 1996 (Getty)

Mana Endo, who reached a career high of World No.26, won her only career title at Hobart in 1994, defeating Rachel McQuillan in the final (Getty) — 04 /12

Mana Endo, who reached a career high of World No.26, won her only career title at Hobart in 1994, defeating Rachel McQuillan in the final (Getty)

Former World No.8 Ai Sugiyama won six titles between 1997 and 2004, including an iconic run at Scottsdale 2003 in which she played her singles and doubles semifinals and finals on the same day - winning all four matches (Getty) — 05 /12

Former World No.8 Ai Sugiyama won six titles between 1997 and 2004, including an iconic run at Scottsdale 2003 in which she played her singles and doubles semifinals and finals on the same day - winning all four matches (Getty)

Former World No.41 Akiko Morigami was the 2007 Prague champion, defeating Marion Bartoli in the final, as well as a two-time Cincinnati runner-up in 2005 and 2007 (Getty) — 06 /12

Former World No.41 Akiko Morigami was the 2007 Prague champion, defeating Marion Bartoli in the final, as well as a two-time Cincinnati runner-up in 2005 and 2007 (Getty)

Kimiko Date would return to the sport for an eight-year second career, reaching the Top 50 and becoming the second-oldest Open Era champion at the age of 38 with her eighth title in Seoul in 2009 (Getty) — 07 /12

Kimiko Date would return to the sport for an eight-year second career, reaching the Top 50 and becoming the second-oldest Open Era champion at the age of 38 with her eighth title in Seoul in 2009 (Getty)

Former World No.32 Kurumi Nara won her only title to date at Rio de Janeiro in 2014, beating Hsieh Su-Wei in the first round and Klara Koukalova in the final (Getty) — 08 /12

Former World No.32 Kurumi Nara won her only title to date at Rio de Janeiro in 2014, beating Hsieh Su-Wei in the first round and Klara Koukalova in the final (Getty)

Nao Hibino won her first title at Tashkent 2015, defeating Donna Vekic in the final, and would hit a career high of World No.56 the following year; she will contest her fifth final in Hiroshima this weekend (Tashkent Open) — 09 /12

Nao Hibino won her first title at Tashkent 2015, defeating Donna Vekic in the final, and would hit a career high of World No.56 the following year; she will contest her fifth final in Hiroshima this weekend (Tashkent Open)

Former World No.30 Misaki Doi hoisted her first trophy at Luxembourg 2015, and the left-hander will bid to add a second this weekend in Hiroshima (Luxembourg Open) — 10 /12

Former World No.30 Misaki Doi hoisted her first trophy at Luxembourg 2015, and the left-hander will bid to add a second this weekend in Hiroshima (Luxembourg Open)

Naomi Osaka has elevated Japanese tennis to new heights recently, winning three titles - including the 2018 US Open and 2019 Australian Open, Japan's first Grand Slams - and hitting World No.1 this year (Getty) — 11 /12

Naomi Osaka has elevated Japanese tennis to new heights recently, winning three titles - including the 2018 US Open and 2019 Australian Open, Japan's first Grand Slams - and hitting World No.1 this year (Getty)

Nao Hibino won the second all-Japanese WTA final in the Open Era at Hiroshima 2019, defeating Misaki Doi to collect her second career title (Japan Women's Open) — 12 /12

Nao Hibino won the second all-Japanese WTA final in the Open Era at Hiroshima 2019, defeating Misaki Doi to collect her second career title (Japan Women's Open)