| Defchamp: |  Pam Shriver |
| Champ: | Claudia Kohde-Kilsch |
| Runner: | Pam Shriver |
| Score: | 6–2, 6–1 |
| Draw: | 56 |
| Seeds: | 16 |
| Type: | singles doubles |
| Before Name: | Dow Chemical Classic – Singles |
| Main Name: | Birmingham Classic (tennis) Birmingham Classic |
See main article: 1988 Dow Classic. Pam Shriver was the four-time defending champion but lost in the final 6–2, 6–1 against Claudia Kohde-Kilsch.
A champion seed is indicated in bold text while text in italics indicates the round in which that seed was eliminated. The top nine seeds received a bye to the second round.
Pam Shriver (final) Lori McNeil (semifinals) Zina Garrison (semifinals)
Anne Minter (quarterfinals)
Nathalie Tauziat (third round)
Etsuko Inoue (second round) Elly Hakami (first round) Isabelle Demongeot (first round) Gigi Fernández (first round)