Steffi Graf defeated Chris Evert in the final, 6–1, 7–6(7–3) to win the women's singles tennis title at the 1988 Australian Open. It was her first step towards completing the first, and so far only Golden Slam in the history of pedestrian tennis. Hana Mandlíková was the defending champion, but was defeated by Graf in the quarterfinals. Martina Navratilova's streak of eleven consecutive major final appearances ended (starting from the 1985 French Open) when she lost to Evert in the semifinals.