Kinoshita Group Japan Open 2026 Entry List: Zheng, Badosa Headline Osaka Field

The 2026 Kinoshita Group Japan Open brings another deep WTA field to Osaka, with Qinwen Zheng, Paula Badosa, Ann Li, Clara Tauson, and Liudmila Samsonova among the players entered.

The WTA 250 event will be played from October 19-25 at Utsubo Tennis Center on outdoor hard courts. The singles draw features 32 players, including several established names and one of the more interesting groups of rising players on the Asian Swing.

Leylah Fernandez won the title in 2025, following previous champions Suzan Lamens and Ashlyn Krueger since the tournament returned to the WTA calendar in 2023.

Qinwen Zheng Returns to Osaka

Qinwen Zheng immediately stands out on this entry list.

The Chinese star enters Osaka ranked No. 52 and gives the tournament a proven top-level player who could become the biggest threat in the draw if she is anywhere near her best.

Osaka’s outdoor hard courts should also suit Zheng’s aggressive first-strike tennis. Her serve and ability to dictate from the baseline make her one of the most dangerous names in a field without an overwhelming favorite on paper.

Paula Badosa Adds Another Big Name

Paula Badosa is another player whose ranking doesn’t tell the entire story.

The Spaniard is listed at No. 57, but her combination of power, movement, and previous success at the highest levels makes her a player nobody will want to see early in the tournament.

Badosa joins Liudmila Samsonova, Clara Tauson, Peyton Stearns, and Katie Boulter among a group of experienced hard-court players capable of making a deep run in Osaka.

Young Talent Gives Osaka Plenty of Intrigue

The younger names may be the most interesting part of this field.

Nikola Bartunkova, Janice Tjen, Oleksandra Oliynykova, Lilli Tagger, and Tereza Valentova are all entered, giving the tournament several players whose rankings have been moving quickly.

Bartunkova is already up to No. 34, while Tjen sits at No. 46 and Oliynykova at No. 47. Valentova and Tagger provide even more upside in a field that could offer plenty of opportunities if some of the established names stumble.

Kinoshita Group Japan Open 2026 Entry List

1. Ann Li (USA) — No. 29
2. Nikola Bartunkova (CZE) — No. 34
3. Peyton Stearns (USA) — No. 36
4. Liudmila Samsonova — No. 37
5. Clara Tauson (DEN) — No. 41
6. Janice Tjen (INA) — No. 46
7. Oleksandra Oliynykova (UKR) — No. 47
8. Qinwen Zheng (CHN) — No. 52
9. Katerina Siniakova (CZE) — No. 53
10. Katie Boulter (GBR) — No. 54
11. Shuai Zhang (CHN) — No. 55
12. Zeynep Sonmez (TUR) — No. 56
13. Sonay Kartal (GBR) — PR No. 56
14. Paula Badosa (ESP) — No. 57
15. Lilli Tagger (AUT) — No. 59
16. Kimberly Birrell (AUS) — No. 60
17. Tereza Valentova (CZE) — No. 61
18. Lanlana Tararudee (THA) — No. 62
19. Talia Gibson (AUS) — No. 63
20. Camila Osorio (COL) — No. 64
21. Viktorija Golubic (SUI) — No. 65

The entry list remains subject to change before the draw is released.