See main article: 1988 Virginia Slims Championships.
Gabriela Sabatini defeated Pam Shriver in the final, 7–5, 6–2, 6–2 to win the singles tennis title at the 1988 Virginia Slims Championships. She did not drop a set en route to the title.
Steffi Graf was the defending champion, but lost in the semifinals to Shriver. Graf was attempting to achieve a Super Slam, having won all four majors (the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US Open) and the Olympics earlier in the season.
A champion seed is indicated in bold text while text in italics indicates the round in which that seed was eliminated.