Karolína Plíšková defeated Angelique Kerber in the final, 6–3, 6–1 to win the women's singles tennis title at the 2016 Cincinnati Masters. It was her sixth WTA Tour singles title.The two would play each other three weeks later, in the final of the US Open; Kerber would avenge her loss by beating Plíšková in three sets.[1]
Serena Williams was the two-time reigning champion, but withdrew before the tournament due to injury.
Kerber was in contention for the world No. 1 ranking, which she would have attained had she won the title.[2] However, by losing in the final she remained No. 2.[3]