Redemption is the theme as the 2019 edition of the Pan Pacific Open gets underway Monday with a weaker field than in year¡¯s past, with only two of the world¡¯s top 10 players competing. Still, 12 of the world¡¯s top 30 are due to take the court at Osaka¡¯s Utsubo Tennis Center, where world No. 4 Naomi Osaka learned to play tennis as a toddler, and the absence of some of the Women¡¯s Tennis Association¡¯s top players will provide an opportunity for the hometown favorite and a host of other struggling stars to get their confidence back and make a run at the title.
A break down of players to watch in this week¡¯s field:
Struggling stars:
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