# 1991 French Open – Women's singles

Defending champion Monica Seles defeated Arantxa Sánchez Vicario in the final, 6–3, 6–4 to win the women's singles title at the 1991 French Open. It was her second French Open title and third major title overall.
This tournament marked the most decisive defeat suffered by Steffi Graf at a major: she won just two games in the semifinals against Sánchez Vicario (a rematch of the 1989 final). It was also the first time since Wimbledon 1987 that Graf was not the top-seeded player at a major.

## Seeds

The seeded players are listed below. Monica Seles is the champion; others show the round in which they were eliminated.
* Monica Seles (champion)
* Steffi Graf (semifinals)
* Gabriela Sabatini (semifinals)
* Mary Joe Fernández (quarterfinals)
* Arantxa Sánchez Vicario (finalist)
* Jana Novotná (quarterfinals)
* Conchita Martínez (quarterfinals)
* Zina Garrison (first round)
* Manuela Maleeva (second round)
* Jennifer Capriati (fourth round)
* Katerina Maleeva (third round)
* Helena Suková (second round)
* Nathalie Tauziat (quarterfinals)
* Leila Meskhi (fourth round)
* Natasha Zvereva (second round)
* Anke Huber (third round)

## Draw
### Key

* Q = Qualifier
* WC = Wild card
* LL = Lucky loser
* r = Retired

### Finals

| Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Finals | Finals | Finals | Finals |
| 1 | Monica Seles | 6 | 7 | | | | | | | | | |
| 7 | Conchita Martínez | 0 | 5 | | | | | | | | | |
| 7 | Conchita Martínez | 0 | 5 | | 1 | Monica Seles | 6 | 6 | | | | |
| | | | | | 3 | Gabriela Sabatini | 4 | 1 | | | | |
| 3 | Gabriela Sabatini | 5 | 7$^{12}$ | 6 | 3 | Gabriela Sabatini | 4 | 1 | | | | |
| 6 | Jana Novotná | 7 | 6$^{10}$ | 0 | | | | | | | | |
| 6 | Jana Novotná | 7 | 6$^{10}$ | 0 | | | | | 1 | Monica Seles | 6 | 6 |
| | | | | | | | | | 5 | Arantxa Sánchez Vicario | 3 | 4 |
| 5 | Arantxa Sánchez Vicario | 6 | 6 | | | | | | | | | | 5 | Arantxa Sánchez Vicario | 3 | 4 |
| 4 | Mary Joe Fernández | 3 | 2 | | | | | | | | | |
| 4 | Mary Joe Fernández | 3 | 2 | | 5 | Arantxa Sánchez Vicario | 6 | 6 | | | | |
| | | | | | 2 | Steffi Graf | 0 | 2 | | | | |
| 13 | Nathalie Tauziat | 3 | 2 | | 2 | Steffi Graf | 0 | 2 | | | | |
| 2 | Steffi Graf | 6 | 6 | | | | | | | | | |

### Earlier rounds
#### Section 1

| First round | First round | First round | First round | First round | Second round | Second round | Second round | Second round | Second round | Third round | Third round | Third round | Third round | Fourth round | Fourth round | Fourth round | Fourth round | Fourth round |
| 1 | Seles | 6 | 6 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Zrubáková | 3 | 0 | | 1 | Seles | 6 | 6 | | | | | | | | | | |
| | de Swardt | 6$^2$ | 7$^7$ | 6 | | de Swardt | 0 | 2 | | | | | | | | | | |
| WC | Fusai | 7$^7$ | 6$^5$ | 1 | | | | | | 1 | Seles | 6 | 6 | | | | | |
| | Fendick | 6 | 6 | | | | | | | | Quentrec | 1 | 2 | | | | | |
| | Kanellopoulou | 4 | 2 | | | Fendick | 1 | 6 | 3 | | | | | | | | | |
| | Quentrec | 7$^9$ | 7$^8$ | | | Quentrec | 6 | 4 | 6 | | | | | | | | | |
| | Helgeson | 6$^7$ | 6$^6$ | | | | | | | | | | | 1 | Seles | 3 | 6 | 6 |
| | Cecchini | 6 | 3 | 7 | | | | | | | | | | | Cecchini | 6 | 3 | 0 |
| | Cueto | 3 | 6 | 5 | | Cecchini | 6 | 6 | | | | | | | | | | |
| WC | Suire | 6 | 6 | | WC | Suire | 2 | 2 | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Paradis | 2 | 3 | | | | | | | | Cecchini | 6 | 6 | | | | | |
| | Bonsignori | 6 | 6 | | | | | | | 16 | Huber | 3 | 4 | | | | | |
| | Herreman | 3 | 4 | | | Bonsignori | 0 | 2 | | | | | | | | | | |
| 16 | Huber | 6 | 6 | | 16 | Huber | 6 | 6 | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Garrone | 2 | 3 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

#### Section 2

| First round | First round | First round | First round | First round | Second round | Second round | Second round | Second round | Second round | Third round | Third round | Third round | Third round | Fourth round | Fourth round | Fourth round | Fourth round |
| 10 | Capriati | 6 | 7 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Piccolini | 2 | 5 | | 10 | Capriati | 6 | 6 | | | | | | | | | |
| | Temesvári | 6 | 6 | | | Temesvári | 2 | 1 | | | | | | | | | |
| | Miyagi | 1 | 3 | | | | | | | 10 | Capriati | 6 | 6 | | | | |
| WC | van Lottum | 6 | 2 | 6 | | | | | | | Kidowaki | 3 | 0 | | | | |
| | Pampoulova | 4 | 6 | 3 | WC | van Lottum | 3 | 7 | 6 | | | | | | | | |
| | Kidowaki | 6 | 6 | | | Kidowaki | 6 | 5 | 8 | | | | | | | | |
| | Schultz | 4 | 4 | | | | | | | | | | | 10 | Capriati | 3 | 3 |
| | Cunningham | 6 | 6 | | | | | | | | | | | 7 | Martínez | 6 | 6 |
| | Martin | 2 | 2 | | | Cunningham | 6 | 7 | | | | | | | | | |
| | Halard | 6 | 7 | | | Halard | 2 | 5 | | | | | | | | | |
| | Habšudová | 4 | 5 | | | | | | | | Cunningham | 1 | 4 | | | | |
| | Rehe | 7 | 6 | | | | | | | 7 | Martínez | 6 | 6 | | | | |
| | Basuki | 5 | 3 | | | Rehe | 1 | 6$^3$ | | | | | | | | | |
| 7 | Martínez | 6 | 6 | | 7 | Martínez | 6 | 7$^7$ | | | | | | | | | |
| | Wiesner | 4 | 3 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

#### Section 3

| First round | First round | First round | First round | Second round | Second round | Second round | Second round | Second round | Third round | Third round | Third round | Third round | Third round | Fourth round | Fourth round | Fourth round | Fourth round |
| 3 | Sabatini | 6 | 6 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Werdel | 1 | 1 | 3 | Sabatini | 6 | 6 | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Zardo | 6 | 6 | | Zardo | 1 | 1 | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Paz | 3 | 2 | | | | | | 3 | Sabatini | 6 | 6 | | | | | |
| | Martinek | 6 | 6 | | | | | | | Pierce | 2 | 1 | | | | | |
| | Porwik | 1 | 0 | | Martinek | 3 | 0 | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Pierce | 7$^7$ | 6 | | Pierce | 6 | 6 | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Dahlman | 6$^1$ | 0 | | | | | | | | | | | 3 | Sabatini | 6 | 6 |
| | Fernández | 7$^7$ | 6 | | | | | | | | | | | | McQuillan | 3 | 0 |
| | Takagi | 6$^4$ | 2 | | Fernández | 2 | 2 | | | | | | | | | | |
| | McQuillan | 6 | 7 | | McQuillan | 6 | 6 | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Bartos | 3 | 5 | | | | | | | McQuillan | 6 | 2 | 6 | | | | |
| | Kelesi | 6 | 6 | | | | | | | Kelesi | 4 | 6 | 4 | | | | |
| | Rittner | 0 | 2 | | Kelesi | 4 | 7 | 6 | | | | | | | | | |
| 12 | Suková | 6 | 6 | 12 | Suková | 6 | 5 | 0 | | | | | | | | | |
| | Švíglerová | 0 | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

#### Section 4

| First round | First round | First round | First round | First round | Second round | Second round | Second round | Second round | Second round | Third round | Third round | Third round | Third round | Fourth round | Fourth round | Fourth round | Fourth round |
| 14 | Meskhi | 6 | 6 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| LL | Dopfer | 2 | 2 | | 14 | Meskhi | 7 | 6 | | | | | | | | | |
| | Kohde-Kilsch | 6 | 6 | | | Kohde-Kilsch | 5 | 1 | | | | | | | | | |
| | Loosemore | 1 | 3 | | | | | | | 14 | Meskhi | 6 | 6 | | | | |
| | Harvey-Wild | 6 | 7 | | | | | | | | Harvey-Wild | 3 | 1 | | | | |
| Q | Baudone | 4 | 5 | | | Harvey-Wild | 7$^9$ | 6$^7$ | 11 | | | | | | | | |
| | Gildemeister | 6 | 2 | 6 | | Gildemeister | 6$^7$ | 7$^9$ | 9 | | | | | | | | |
| | Smith | 3 | 6 | 1 | | | | | | | | | | 14 | Meskhi | 0 | 6$^7$ |
| | Caverzasio | 6 | 6 | | | | | | | | | | | 6 | Novotná | 6 | 7$^9$ |
| | Keller | 4 | 3 | | | Caverzasio | 2 | 2 | | | | | | | | | |
| | Brioukhovets | 1 | 6 | 7 | | Brioukhovets | 6 | 6 | | | | | | | | | |
| | Dechaume | 6 | 2 | 5 | | | | | | | Brioukhovets | 6$^6$ | 2 | | | | |
| | Hy | 6 | 6 | | | | | | | 6 | Novotná | 7$^8$ | 6 | | | | |
| | Mothes-Jobkel | 2 | 2 | | | Hy | 2 | 1 | | | | | | | | | |
| 6 | Novotná | 7 | 6 | | 6 | Novotná | 6 | 6 | | | | | | | | | |
| LL | Farina | 5 | 2 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

#### Section 5

| First round | First round | First round | First round | First round | Second round | Second round | Second round | Second round | Second round | Third round | Third round | Third round | Third round | Fourth round | Fourth round | Fourth round | Fourth round |
| 5 | Sánchez Vicario | 6 | 6 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | McNeil | 2 | 2 | | 5 | Sánchez Vicario | 6 | 6 | | | | | | | | | |
| | Godridge | 6 | 4 | 6 | | Godridge | 1 | 2 | | | | | | | | | |
| | McGrath | 4 | 6 | 3 | | | | | | 5 | Sánchez Vicario | 6 | 6 | | | | |
| Q | Fulco | 6 | 6 | | | | | | | Q | Fulco | 1 | 1 | | | | |
| | Smylie | 4 | 0 | | Q | Fulco | 6 | 6 | | | | | | | | | |
| | Tessi | 6 | 6 | | | Tessi | 2 | 2 | | | | | | | | | |
| | Wood | 4 | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | 5 | Sánchez Vicario | 6 | 6 |
| | Rinaldi | 6 | 6 | | | | | | | | | | | | Whitlinger | 2 | 1 |
| Q | Lásková | 2 | 3 | | | Rinaldi | 4 | 0 | | | | | | | | | |
| | Whitlinger | 6 | 7$^9$ | | | Whitlinger | 6 | 6 | | | | | | | | | |
| | deLone | 1 | 6$^7$ | | | | | | | | Whitlinger | 7$^9$ | 6 | | | | |
| | Grossman | 7 | 6 | | | | | | | | Grossman | 6$^7$ | 4 | | | | |
| | Golarsa | 5 | 0 | | | Grossman | 4 | 6 | 6 | | | | | | | | |
| 15 | Zvereva | 6 | 6 | | 15 | Zvereva | 6 | 1 | 4 | | | | | | | | |
| | Faber | 0 | 0 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

#### Section 6

| First round | First round | First round | First round | First round | Second round | Second round | Second round | Second round | Second round | Third round | Third round | Third round | Third round | Fourth round | Fourth round | Fourth round | Fourth round |
| 11 | K Maleeva | 6 | 6 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Q | Jaggard | 3 | 4 | | 11 | K Maleeva | 6 | 6 | | | | | | | | | |
| | Kijimuta | 6 | 6 | | | Kijimuta | 2 | 3 | | | | | | | | | |
| | Strandlund | 0 | 4 | | | | | | | 11 | K Maleeva | 4 | 4 | | | | |
| | Reinach | 6 | 6 | | | | | | | | Reinach | 6 | 6 | | | | |
| | Bollegraf | 0 | 2 | | | Reinach | 6 | 6 | | | | | | | | | |
| | Cioffi | 7 | 4 | 6 | | Cioffi | 3 | 1 | | | | | | | | | |
| | Ferrando | 5 | 6 | 0 | | | | | | | | | | | Reinach | 4 | 6$^2$ |
| Q | Thorén | 6 | 6 | | | | | | | | | | | 4 | Fernández | 6 | 7$^7$ |
| | Javer | 2 | 2 | | Q | Thorén | 6 | 3 | 7 | | | | | | | | |
| | Savchenko | 6 | 6 | | | Savchenko | 3 | 6 | 5 | | | | | | | | |
| WC | Housset | 1 | 4 | | | | | | | Q | Thorén | 4 | 3 | | | | |
| | Hack | 6 | 7 | | | | | | | 4 | Fernández | 6 | 6 | | | | |
| | Durie | 4 | 5 | | | Hack | 4 | 0 | | | | | | | | | |
| 4 | Fernández | 6 | 6 | | 4 | Fernández | 6 | 6 | | | | | | | | | |
| | Romano | 3 | 0 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

#### Section 7

| First round | First round | First round | First round | First round | Second round | Second round | Second round | Second round | Second round | Third round | Third round | Third round | Third round | Third round | Fourth round | Fourth round | Fourth round | Fourth round | Fourth round |
| | Sawamatsu | 6 | 6 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 8 | Garrison | 4 | 0 | | | Sawamatsu | 6 | 7$^7$ | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Baranski | 3 | 6 | 6 | | Baranski | 0 | 6$^3$ | | | | | | | | | | | |
| WC | Laval | 6 | 4 | 3 | | | | | | | Sawamatsu | 5 | 6 | 6 | | | | | |
| WC | Niox-Château | 6 | 6 | | | | | | | | Graham | 7 | 2 | 4 | | | | | |
| | Demongeot | 4 | 4 | | WC | Niox-Château | 4 | 0 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Graham | 6 | 7 | | | Graham | 6 | 6 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Reinstadler | 1 | 5 | | | | | | | | | | | | | Sawamatsu | 5 | 6 | 10 |
| | Jagerman | 6 | 6 | | | | | | | | | | | | 13 | Tauziat | 7 | 2 | 12 |
| | Strnadová | 2 | 4 | | | Jagerman | 6 | 5 | 6 | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Provis | 4 | 7$^9$ | 6 | | Provis | 4 | 7 | 3 | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Hiraki | 6 | 6$^7$ | 2 | | | | | | | Jagerman | 4 | 0 | | | | | | |
| WC | Guerrée | 6 | 7$^{13}$ | | | | | | | 13 | Tauziat | 6 | 6 | | | | | | |
| | Gomer | 3 | 6$^{11}$ | | WC | Guerrée | 2 | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 13 | Tauziat | 6 | 6 | | 13 | Tauziat | 6 | 6 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| WC | Etchemendy | 3 | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

#### Section 8

| First round | First round | First round | First round | First round | Second round | Second round | Second round | Second round | Second round | Third round | Third round | Third round | Third round | Fourth round | Fourth round | Fourth round | Fourth round |
| 9 | Man. Maleeva | 6 | 6 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Q | Dahlman | 2 | 2 | | 9 | Man. Maleeva | 4 | 0 | | | | | | | | | |
| | Rajchrtová | 6 | 6 | | | Rajchrtová | 6 | 6 | | | | | | | | | |
| | Probst | 4 | 3 | | | | | | | | Rajchrtová | 2 | 0 | | | | |
| | Coetzer | 5 | 7 | 6 | | | | | | | Appelmans | 6 | 6 | | | | |
| | Minter | 7 | 5 | 3 | | Coetzer | 3 | 7 | 1 | | | | | | | | |
| | Appelmans | 6 | 3 | 7 | | Appelmans | 6 | 5 | 6 | | | | | | | | |
| Q | Bowes | 1 | 6 | 5 | | | | | | | | | | | Appelmans | 2 | 2 |
| | Stafford | 6 | 6 | | | | | | | | | | | 2 | Graf | 6 | 6 |
| | Tanvier | 2 | 1 | | | Stafford | 6 | 7 | | | | | | | | | |
| | Labat | 1 | 7 | 6 | | Labat | 3 | 5 | | | | | | | | | |
| Q | Rottier | 6 | 5 | 1 | | | | | | | Stafford | 0 | 1 | | | | |
| | Langrová | 6 | 0 | 9 | | | | | | 2 | Graf | 6 | 6 | | | | |
| | Testud | 2 | 6 | 7 | | Langrová | 0 | 1 | | | | | | | | | |
| | Mag. Maleeva | 3 | 6$^6$ | | 2 | Graf | 6 | 6 | | | | | | | | | |
| 2 | Graf | 6 | 7$^8$ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |