The United States' Serena Williams defeated Russia's Maria Sharapova in the final, 6–0, 6–1 to win the gold medal in women's singles tennis at the 2012 Summer Olympics.

It was the United States' first victory in the event since Serena's sister Venus Williams won in 2000, and its fifth gold overall.

In the bronze medal match, Belarus' Victoria Azarenka defeated Russia's Maria Kirilenko, 6–3, 6–4.

[2] Returning from the 2008 Games were bronze medalist Vera Zvonareva of Russia, fourth-place finisher Li Na of China, and three quarterfinalists: Jelena Janković of Serbia and the Williams sisters, Venus and Serena.

Sharapova and Serena were seeded #3 and #4 behind world #1 Victoria Azarenka of Belarus and #2 Agnieszka Radwańska of Poland.

France made its 11th appearance, most among nations to that point, having missed only the 1908 Games in London (when only British players competed).