The Australian Open draw ceremony was held on Thursday afternoon at Melbourne Park and main-draw action gets underway on Sunday.
Aryna Sabalenka is a two-time champion and is the favorite to add a third Aussie Open title to her Grand Slam haul. That being said, there is a lot more parity in the women’s game than there is on the men’s side — where either Carlos Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner is almost certain to triumph. Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina, Mirra Andreeva, and defending champion Madison Keys are all in the realistic AO mix
Here are my best bets on the women’s side at the 2026 Australian Open.
Amanda Anisimova (+900)
Anisimova was the breakout start on the WTA Tour in 2025, reaching two Grand Slam finals (Wimbledon, U.S. Open) and soaring to No. 4 in the world. The obvious next step in her career is capturing a major title, and there is no reason why she can’t do it Down Under. Being the No. 4 seed sets her up extremely well in Melbourne, as she avoids Sabalenka, Swiatek, and Gauff at least until the semifinals (Anisimova would meet Swiatek in the semis and either Sabalenka or Gauff in the final).
Karolina Muchova (+5000)
Muchova is another former major finalist who is still seeking to triumph at one of the big four events for the first time. The 19th-ranked Czech finished runner-up to Swiatek at Roland Garros in 2023. She has advanced to three other Grand Slam semifinals (including Down Under in 2021) and three other quarterfinals. If not for recurring injuries, Muchova would be a perennial top-10 player and likely even a slam champ by now. Well, better late than never. The 29-year-old is healthy and playing great, coming off a semifinal showing in Brisbane (beat Rybakina, lost to Sabalenka).
Elena Rybakina (+800)
Rybakina made a run to the 2023 Aussie Open title match before falling to Sabalenka. Success at slams is nothing out of the ordinary for the 26-year-old Kazakh, who triumphed at Wimbledon in 2022. She also reached the Wimbledon semifinals in 2024 and has been to three other major quarterfinals. Moreover, Rybakina ended last season in unbelievable form. The world No. 5 won her last 11 matches, including a title at the prestigious WTA Finals. Opposite Sabalenka and Gauff in the AO bracket, Rybakina has to like her chances this upcoming fortnight.
Check out the Australian Open draw at the tournament website
Bencic out. What happened?? She was in such great form..
Bartunkova as balling
Munar? What happened?
Ruud was good
Svitolia through and Muchova out😥. Don’t see Svitolina beating Gauff…
had Svito over Andreeva and I have her over Gauff, as well
Really Ricky??!! Why do you think she’ll beat Gauff??
I hope she does because, like Muchova, she is one of my top faves…
Gauff hasn’t faced anyone dangerous yet (Muchova doesn’t count because of how bad that matchup is for her against Gauff). the first time Gauff is seriously tested, her serve will go off the rails.
OK you called it!! I know that Muchova doesn’t play well against her….
I had Andreeva over Svitolina at first, but gut feeling made me change that one. Still have Gauff in the semis
Ricky called it!! Spot on.
Great to see Svito in the semis but she won’t beat Saba..
Svito!
Do you give her a real chance against Saba??
not really. would need a serious off day by Saba (as would anyone except maybe Rybakina).
Ryba can definitely beat Saba!
yep
Needs to be on fire