The 2026 Australian Open women’s semifinals are set to unfold on Thursday morning, featuring Aryna Sabalenka going head-to-head with Elina Svitolina at 3:30 a.m. ET, followed by a matchup between Elena Rybakina and Jessica Pegula. This marks the fourth consecutive year that Sabalenka has reached the semifinals, maintaining an impressive 10-0 record this season. Notably, she has reached at least the semifinals in 12 of her last 14 tournaments and boasts a flawless 3-0 record in Australian Open semifinals.
Tennis expert Jose Onorato from SportsLine has labeled Sabalenka as a 4.5-game favorite against Svitolina, predicting her to cover the spread. Onorato has established a strong track record in tennis betting, going 168-106-8 since 2022 and correctly calling key matches in previous Grand Slams.
In addition to the Sabalenka-Svitolina clash, Onorato has shared his insights on the second semifinal featuring Pegula and Rybakina. He anticipates a competitive match, suggesting a bet on over 21.5 games due to both players’ abilities to hold their composure and extend rallies.
Onorato noted, “Sabalenka has been ruthless in Melbourne, not dropping a set and dominating her opponents with her serve and baseline power. While Svitolina deserves credit for her victory over Coco Gauff, this match presents a different challenge. Sabalenka has won four of their last five encounters convincingly, applying constant pressure.” He emphasized the importance of Sabalenka controlling her first serve to maintain her advantage.
Rybakina’s quarterfinal performance was also commendable, as she took down reigning champion Iga Swiatek. Onorato acknowledged that while Rybakina has an edge in power, Pegula’s steady play will keep the sets competitive. Their head-to-head record being tied suggests that games could potentially extend, making the over bet a plausible option.
As anticipation builds for these thrilling semifinal matches, tennis fans have much to look forward to in this year’s Australian Open, with potential for exciting outcomes and strong performances from the competitors.