Australian Open
Australian Open Women’s Semi-Final Predictions (2026)
Thursday’s Australian Open betting focus is on the women’s semi-finals. Here are our previews and picks.
Aryna Sabalenka vs Elina Svitolina
Both Aryna Sabalenka and Elina Svitolina made light work of their quarter-final duels. Sabalenka dropped three games in a straight sets win over Iva Jović, while Svitolina won 6-1, 6-2 against an underperforming Coco Gauff.
Fatigue isn’t going to be a factor for either player, with Svitolina winning in 59 minutes and Sabalenka wrapping her match up in 89 minutes. Only so much can be read into their quarter-final wins – both players were in the ascendancy from start to finish.
Svitolina hasn’t beaten Sabalenka since 2020. To break that streak, Svitolina’s return game must be at its very best, and she cannot give Sabalenka too many opportunities to attack her second serve.
With how much she’s dominated Svitolina of late, we like the value on Sabalenka to cover the game handicap.
Pick: Sabalenka -4.5 game handicap (17/20)
Elena Rybakina vs Jessica Pegula
Elena Rybakina schooled Iga Świątek in the quarters to set up a semi-final meeting with Jessica Pegula. Rybakina won 20 more points than the Pole, and only conceded four break points in the match, despite getting less than half of her first serves in.
Their recent duels have been even split, though Rybakina came out on top across three sets in last year’s WTA Finals. Pegula has already overcome several of the sport’s most powerful players and will be tested in a similar way here, with Rybakina coming off a quarter-final with 11 aces.
Rybakina is a deserving favourite considering the level she has been playing at in Melbourne. It won’t be straightforward, but we think she can get this wrapped up in straight sets and the lion’s share of Australian Open prize money could be hers come the final.
Pick: Rybakina to win 2-0 (21/20)
*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*
