2004 China Open – Women's singles

Elena Dementieva was the defending champion, but did not participate in this competition.

Serena Williams won in the final 4–6, 7–5, 6–4, against Svetlana Kuznetsova.

Seeds
The top four seeds received a bye into the second round.


 * 1) 🇺🇸 Serena Williams (champion)
 * 2) 🇷🇺 Svetlana Kuznetsova (final)
 * 3) 🇷🇺 Maria Sharapova (semifinals)
 * 4) 🇷🇺 Vera Zvonareva (semifinals)
 * 5) 🇷🇺 Nadia Petrova (quarterfinals, retired due to a left ankle sprain)
 * 6) 🇦🇷 Gisela Dulko (quarterfinals)
 * 7)  Jelena Janković (quarterfinals, retired due to an aggravation of a right ankle sprain)
 * 8)  Jelena Dokić (first round)

Seeds
• # 🇺🇸 Jill Craybas (first round)

• # 🇪🇸 Marta Marrero (second round)

• # 🇭🇺 Anikó Kapros (moved to the Main Draw)

• # 🇩🇪 Marlene Weingärtner (still competing in Bali)

• # 🇷🇺 Alina Jidkova (second round)

• # 🇷🇺 Vera Dushevina (qualified)

• # 🇸🇰 Martina Suchá (first round)

• # 🇻🇪 Milagros Sequera (first round)

• # 🇦🇺 Samantha Stosur (qualifying competition)

• # 🇨🇳 Peng Shuai (first round)

Qualifiers
• # Sanda Mamić

• # 🇨🇳 Li Na

• # 🇷🇺 Vera Dushevina

• # Emmanuelle Gagliardi