1987 Italian Open – Women's singles

There was no women's tournament held in the previous year. Rafaella Reggi was the champion in the 1985 edition. She lost in the second round to Arantxa Sánchez Vicario.

Steffi Graf won the title by defeating Gabriela Sabatini 7–5, 4–6, 6–0 in the final.

Seeds
The first eight seeds received a bye to the second round. • # 🇺🇸 Martina Navratilova (semifinals)

• # Steffi Graf (champion)

• # Helena Suková (semifinals)

• # 🇦🇷 Gabriela Sabatini (final)

• # Claudia Kohde-Kilsch (quarterfinals)

• # Bettina Bunge (second round)

• # 🇸🇪 Catarina Lindqvist (second round)

• # 🇧🇬 Katerina Maleeva (third round)

• # Sylvia Hanika (first round)

• # 🇮🇹 Raffaella Reggi (second round)

• # 🇺🇸 Mary Joe Fernández (third round)

• # Larisa Savchenko (first round, retired)

• # 🇨🇦 Helen Kelesi (first round)

• # 🇫🇷 Catherine Tanvier (second round)