2005 China Open – Women's singles

Serena Williams was the defending champion, but lost in the second round to Sun Tiantian. Tiantian became the first ever player ranked outside the top 100 to defeat Williams in a main draw match.

Maria Kirilenko won the title by defeating Anna-Lena Grönefeld 6–3, 6–4 in the final.

Seeds
The top four seeds receive a bye into the second round. • # 🇷🇺 Maria Sharapova (semifinals, retired)

• # 🇺🇸 Lindsay Davenport (withdrew due to a low back strain)

• # 🇺🇸 Venus Williams (quarterfinals, withdrew)

• # 🇺🇸 Serena Williams (second round)

• # 🇦🇺 Alicia Molik (first round)

• # Jelena Janković (first round)

• # 🇫🇷 Tatiana Golovin (first round)

• # 🇮🇹 Flavia Pennetta (first round)

• # 🇩🇪 Anna-Lena Grönefeld (final)