2016 US Open – Women's singles

Angelique Kerber defeated Karolína Plíšková in the final, 6–3, 4–6, 6–4 to win the women's singles tennis title at the 2016 US Open. It was her second major title. Kerber was the first player since Martina Hingis in 1997 to win both hardcourt majors in the same calendar year, having also won the Australian Open. She attained the world No. 1 singles ranking for the first time after Serena Williams failed to reach the final. In addition to Kerber and Williams, Garbiñe Muguruza and Agnieszka Radwańska were in contention for the top position. The final was a rematch of the Cincinnati final three weeks prior, won by Plíšková.

Flavia Pennetta was the reigning champion, but retired from the sport at the end of 2015.

Plíšková was the first Czech woman to reach the final since Helena Suková in 1993, and only the fourth player to beat both Williams sisters in the same major (defeating Venus Williams in the fourth round and Serena Williams in the semifinals).

Serena Williams was attempting to set new Open Era records by winning a 23rd major singles title and a seventh US Open singles title, but she lost in the semifinals to Plíšková. This was Venus Williams' 72nd main draw major appearance, surpassing the all-time record previously held by Amy Frazier.

This marked the last professional appearance of former world No. 1 and 2008 French Open champion Ana Ivanovic, who lost to Denisa Allertová in the first round. She announced her retirement at the end of the season due to ongoing injuries.