Tracy Austin defeated four-time defending champion Chris Evert in the final, 6–4, 6–3 to win the women's singles tennis title at the 1979 US Open. It was her first major singles title. Austin became the youngest major champion in the Open Era, aged 16 years and 9 months (a record later surpassed by Monica Seles at the 1990 French Open, and one that still stands at the US Open). She was also the youngest woman to defeat the world No. 1 and No. 2 at one tournament since the WTA rankings were established in 1975, a record that still stands.
In Evert’s fourth-round match against Sherry Acker, Evert lost the first set. This marked her first set lost at the US Open since the opening set of the 1975 US Open final against Evonne Goolagong-Cawley, a span of 46 consecutive sets won.
Seeds The seeded players are listed below. Tracy Austin is the champion; others show the round in which they were eliminated.
Chris Evert-Lloyd (runner-up) Martina Navratilova (semifinalist) Tracy Austin (champion) Virginia Wade (quarterfinalist) Evonne Goolagong (quarterfinalist) Dianne Fromholtz (fourth round) Wendy Turnbull (third round) Kerry Melville Reid (quarterfinalist) Billie Jean King (semifinalist) Greer Stevens (fourth round) Kathy Jordan (fourth round) Regina Maršíková (fourth round) Sue Barker (second round) Pam Shriver (first round) Ann Kiyomura (second round) Betty Stöve (second round)
Qualifying
Draw
Key Q = Qualifier WC = Wild card LL = Lucky loser r = Retired
Finals
Earlier rounds
Section 1
Section 2
Section 3
Section 4
Section 5
Section 6
Section 7
Section 8
External links 1979 US Open – Women's draws and results at the International Tennis Federation