Pan Pacific Open 2025: Preview

Jessica Pegula, who had been poised to be a top-seeded player, has withdrawn from the tournament after securing a highly sought-after spot in the WTA Finals later this year. Despite Pegula’s withdrawal, the event remains highly competitive, featuring four top-10-ranked players. Last year’s winner, Zheng Qinwen, won the trophy by defeating Sofia Kenin in the final; however, Qinwen will be unable to defend her title due to injury. A detailed preview of the tournament is presented below.

Jasmine Paolini

Jasmine Paolini is singularly focused on defending her spot in the WTA Finals, and to do so, she must claim the Pan Pacific Open title, a task she can accomplish independently of other players’ performances. Although the challenge is daunting, Pegula’s withdrawal has afforded her a significant advantage. Throughout the season, the 29-year-old Italian has exhibited a strong competitive spirit, securing 36 victories and incurring 11 losses. Her current ranking of eighth underscores her consistent presence within the top 10 this year. The stakes are high, as the outcome of this tournament will play a pivotal role in shaping her career. Paolini has already achieved a notable success this year, winning the Rome Open on home soil. With her sights firmly set on the title, Paolini is a force to be reckoned with.

Elena Rybakina

Elena Rybakina is still striving to find her footing this season, following a string of underwhelming results. Her recent loss to Eva Lys in the Beijing Open’s third round was a surprising outcome for one of the world’s most promising tennis players. With the WTA Finals qualification race heating up, Rybakina, currently ranked 9th globally, must overcome Jasmine Paolini to secure the final spot. To boost her chances, she faces the daunting task of winning the Pan Pacific Open title. A potential semifinal showdown with Paolini looms, and it is up to Rybakina to rise to the occasion. She is posing to be threat to her opponents and one of the contenders for the title.

Ekaterina Alexandrova

Over the past nine months, Ekaterina Alexandrova has achieved significant success in the tennis circuit. This week saw Alexandrova break into the top 10 rankings for the first time, marking a major career milestone. Her performance this year has been impressive, with three WTA 500 finals appearances, including a win at the Linz Open and runner-up finishes at the Korean and Monterrey Open. Alexandrova will look to continue her strong form at the Pan Pacific. This season has been a breakthrough, with Alexandrova securing over 40 tour victories for the first time in her career.

Naomi Osaka

Naomi Osaka is a prominent name on the entry list for the Pan Pacific Open, where she will compete in front of her home crowd and rely on their support to fuel her success. Osaka is returning to the event for the first time in three years, bringing with her a notable history that includes a title win in 2019 and runner-up finishes in 2016 and 2017. The four-time Grand Slam winner has shown a strong return to form this year, reaching the semi-finals of the US Open. Following a series of injuries that forced her to retire from the China Open and withdraw from the Japan Open, the 26-year-old Japanese star arrives as a favored competitor.

Prize Money

The tournament carries a pool of $1 064 510 in total prize money with the winner walking away with $142 000.

Past winners

2024 – Qinwen Zheng

2023 – Veronika Kudermetova

2022 – Luidmila Samsonova

2021 & 2020 – Didn’t play due to Covid19

2019 – Naomi Osaka