2018 China Open – Women's singles

Caroline Wozniacki defeated Anastasija Sevastova in the final, 6–3, 6–3 to win the women's singles tennis title at the 2018 China Open. It was Wozniacki's 30th and last WTA Tour title, before her first retirement in January 2020.

Caroline Garcia was the defending champion, but lost in the third round to Aryna Sabalenka.

Seeds
• 🇷🇴 Simona Halep (first round, retired)

• Caroline Wozniacki (champion)

• 🇩🇪 Angelique Kerber (third round)

• 🇫🇷 Caroline Garcia (third round)

• 🇨🇿 Petra Kvitová (first round)

• 🇺🇦 Elina Svitolina (first round)

• 🇨🇿 Karolína Plíšková (third round)

• 🇯🇵 Naomi Osaka (semifinals)

• 🇺🇸 Sloane Stephens (third round)

• 🇩🇪 Julia Görges (third round)

• Kiki Bertens (third round)

• Jeļena Ostapenko (second round)

• 🇷🇺 Daria Kasatkina (first round, retired)

• 🇪🇸 Garbiñe Muguruza (second round)

• 🇧🇪 Elise Mertens (first round)

• 🇦🇺 Ashleigh Barty (withdrew)

• 🇺🇸 Madison Keys (second round, withdrew)

The four Wuhan semifinalists received a bye into the second round. They were as follows:
 * 🇦🇺 Ashleigh Barty
 * 🇪🇪 Anett Kontaveit
 * 🇧🇾 Aryna Sabalenka
 * 🇨🇳 Wang Qiang

Seeds
• # 🇦🇺 Ajla Tomljanović (qualifying competition)

• # 🇰🇿 Yulia Putintseva (qualified)

• # 🇨🇿 Kateřina Siniaková (qualified)

• # Monica Puig (first round)

• # 🇷🇴 Sorana Cîrstea (qualifying competition, lucky loser)

• # 🇺🇸 Sofia Kenin (first round)

• # 🇺🇸 Alison Riske (first round)

• # 🇩🇪 Andrea Petkovic (qualified)

• # 🇵🇱 Magda Linette (first round)

• # 🇺🇸 Bernarda Pera (qualifying competition, lucky loser)

• # 🇪🇸 Lara Arruabarrena (qualifying competition)

• # 🇩🇪 Tatjana Maria (qualifying competition)

• # 🇷🇴 Ana Bogdan (first round)

• # 🇷🇴 Monica Niculescu (first round)

• # Polona Hercog (qualified)

• # 🇪🇸 Sara Sorribes Tormo (qualifying competition)

Qualifiers
• # 🇺🇦 Dayana Yastremska

• # 🇰🇿 Yulia Putintseva

• # 🇨🇿 Kateřina Siniaková

• # 🇹🇳 Ons Jabeur

• # Polona Hercog

• # 🇰🇿 Zarina Diyas

• # 🇬🇧 Katie Boulter

• # 🇩🇪 Andrea Petkovic

Lucky losers
• # 🇷🇴 Sorana Cîrstea

• # 🇺🇸 Bernarda Pera