| Type: | women |
| Champ: |  Elena Dementieva |
| Score: | 6–3, 7–6(8–6) |
| Seeds: | 8 |
| Before Name: | China Open – Singles |
| After Name: | China Open – Women's singles |
See main article: article and 2003 China Open (tennis).
Anna Smashnova was the defending champion, but chose not to participate this year.
Top seed Elena Dementieva won the title, defeating Chanda Rubin in the final, 6–3, 7–6(8–6).
The top four seeds received a bye into the second round.