Naoko Sawamatsu

Who is Naoko Sawamatsu?

Naoko Sawamatsu is a former professional tennis player. During her career she won 4 WTA career singles titles. Sawamatsu reached a career high ranking of World No. 14 on 6 February 1995. At the time of the 1995 Australian Open her family survived the Great Hanshin earthquake and Sawamatsu went on to achieve her best Grand Slam result at Melbourne Park, reaching the quarter finals defeating Kimiko Date in the third round, Mary Joe Fernandez in the fourth round before losing to Arantxa Sánchez Vicario.

Sawamatsu's most significant title came in 1993 at Strasbourg, she defeated clay courter Judith Wiesner in the final. Sawamatsu had much success at Strasbourg reaching the semifinals in 1991, final in 1992 losing to Judith Wiesner.

Sawamatsu retired from professional tennis after losing in the second round of the 1998 Japan Open to Monica Seles in a three set match 6–3, 3–6, 6–3. Sawamatsu had wins over the following players during her career Martina Hingis, Lindsay Davenport, Kimiko Date, Mary Joe Fernandez, Amanda Coetzer, and Conchita Martínez. She was the first player to be beaten by Venus Williams in the main draw of a Grand Slam tournament, at the French Open in 1997.