Defending champion Steffi Graf defeated Monica Seles in a rematch of the previous year's final, 7–5, 6–4 to win the women's singles tennis title at the 1996 US Open. It was her fifth US Open title and 21st major singles title overall. Graf did not lose a set during the tournament.
This marked the final major appearance of 1990 champion Gabriela Sabatini. It was also the final major singles appearance of 15-time major quarterfinalist and former world No. 4 Zina Garrison.
Seeds The seeded players are listed below. Steffi Graf is the champion; others show the round in which they were eliminated.
Chanda Rubin pulled out before the tournament began and her position in the draw was taken over by seventeenth-seeded Karina Habšudová, Rubin was replaced by lucky loser Annabel Ellwood; Mary Joe Fernández, who withdrew on the first day of the tournament, was replaced by lucky loser Tina Križan.
Qualifying
Draw
Finals
Top half
Section 1
Section 2
Section 3
Section 4
Bottom half
Section 5
Section 6
Section 7
Section 8
External links 1996 US Open – Women's draws and results at the International Tennis Federation
See also 1996 US Open – Men's singles