Who was runner-up to Steffi Graf in the 1988 Australian Open women's final?

Who was runner-up to Steffi Graf in the 1988 Australian Open women’s final? The answer is Chris Evert.

Graf defeated Evert 6–1, 7–6 (7–3) in the 1988 final. It was Graf’s first Australian Open title and her second major championship. She completed the tournament without dropping a set, beginning the season that would culminate in the first Golden Slam: all four major titles plus Olympic singles gold.

For Evert, the final was historically significant despite the defeat. It was her 34th and last major singles final, still the women’s record for appearances in a Grand Slam singles final. It was also her sixth Australian Open final, and she had reached the championship match in each of her appearances at the event.

The 1988 tournament introduced several changes. It was the first Australian Open played on hard courts rather than grass, and the first held at the newly developed Flinders Park complex. The final was also the first major final played under a roof, after a delay while the stadium roof was closed.