1978 Australian Open – Women's singles

Chris O'Neil defeated Betsy Nagelsen in the final, 6–3, 7–6^(7–3) to win the women's singles tennis title at the 1978 Australian Open. It was her first and only major singles title. O'Neil did not lose a set during the tournament.

Women's singles
1978 Australian Open
Champion	Chris O'Neil
Runner-up	Betsy Nagelsen
Score	6–3, 7–6(7–3)
Draw	32 (4 Q )
Seeds	7

Main article: 1978 Australian Open

Evonne Goolagong was the reigning champion, but she did not compete this year due to injury.

Seeds

The seeded players are listed below. Chris O'Neil is the champion; others show the round in which they were eliminated.

1. Sue Barker (quarterfinals)
2. Renáta Tomanová (quarterfinals)
3. Beth Norton (second round)
4. Amanda Tobin (first round)
5. Renee Blount (second round)
6. Cynthia Doerner (first round)
7. Withdrawn
8. Betsy Nagelsen (finalist)

Qualifying

Main article: 1978 Australian Open – Women's singles qualifying

Draw

Key

• Q = Qualifier
• WC = Wild card
• LL = Lucky loser
• Alt = Alternate
• ITF = ITF entry
• PR = Protected ranking
• SR = Special ranking
• SE = Special exempt
• JE = Junior exempt
• JR = Junior Accelerator Programme entrant
• CO = College Accelerator Programme entrant
• NG = Next Gen Accelerator Program entrant
• w/o = Walkover
• r = Retired
• d = Defaulted

Finals

	Quarterfinals							Semifinals							Finals
	1	Sue Barker	2	6
		Dianne Evers	6	7
									Dianne Evers	0	3
									Chris O'Neil	6	6
		Chris O'Neil	7	6
	Q	Dorte Ekner	5	1
																Chris O'Neil	6	7
															8	Betsy Nagelsen	3	6
		Mary Sawyer	4	3
	Q	Christine Matison	6	6
								Q	Christine Matison	5	4
								8	Betsy Nagelsen	7	6
	8	Betsy Nagelsen	6	6
	2	Renáta Tomanová	4	4

Earlier rounds

Section 1

	First round							Second round							Quarterfinals							Semifinals
	1	S Barker	6	6
	Q	K Gulley	0	2				1	S Barker	6	7
		M Gurdal	6	6					M Gurdal	2	5
		W Gilchrist	2	1											1	S Barker	2	6
		D Evers	6	3	6											D Evers	6	7
		K Ruddell	2	6	1				D Evers	6	6
		E Ekblom	4	3				5	R Blount	4	3
	5	R Blount	6	6																			D Evers	0	3
	3	B Norton	6	6																			C O'Neil	6	6
	Q	J Walker	1	4				3	B Norton	4	3
		C O'Neil	6	6					C O'Neil	6	6
		L Harrison	2	4												C O'Neil	7	6
		H Eisterlehner	6	6											Q	D Ekner	5	1
		N Sato	2	4					H Eisterlehner	6	1	2
	Q	D Ekner	6	6				Q	D Ekner	4	6	6
	6	C Doerner	4	3

Section 2

	First round							Second round							Quarterfinals							Semifinals
	LL	B Hermansen	2	5
		P Bostrom	6	7					P Bostrom	6	3	5
		M Sawyer	6	7					M Sawyer	4	6	7
		K Hallam	2	5												M Sawyer	6	6
		K Sands	6	6											Q	C Matison	4	3
		S Saliba	2	0					K Sands	6	2	4
	Q	C Matison	6	6				Q	C Matison	1	6	6
	4	A Tobin	1	3																		Q	C Matison	5	4
	8	B Nagelsen	6	6																		8	B Nagelsen	7	6
		S Simmonds	1	3				8	B Nagelsen	6	6
		N Bohm	6	6					N Bohm	3	4
		J Chaloner	4	2											8	B Nagelsen	6	6
		N Gregory	6	1	6										2	R Tomanová	4	4
		K Pratt	3	6	3				N Gregory	2	5
		P Whytcross	4	1				2	R Tomanová	6	7
	2	R Tomanová	6	6