The Australian Open kicks off on Sunday, with defending champions Madison Keys and Jannik Sinner each within the draw. However can both repeat? Sinner is much more prone to — however can have No. 1-ranked Carlos Alcaraz to take care of as they proceed their epic rivalry.
And on the ladies’s facet, Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff and Amanda Anisimova are the highest 4 gamers on this planet proper now, with Sabalenka a two-time champion in Melbourne already.
We polled our consultants for his or her picks — and greatest betting ideas.
Who do you suppose will win the ladies’s singles title, and why?
Jake Michaels: Sabalenka’s unbeaten run on the Australian Open got here to a dramatic finish in final 12 months’s last, however there’s nonetheless little doubt she stays the best hard-court participant on the ladies’s tour. The 27-year-old world No. 1 has performed within the last of the previous six hard-court majors, successful 4 of them. Sabalenka arrives in Melbourne in a wealthy vein of kind, having simply taken out the Brisbane Worldwide with out dropping a set. At this level, it might be a shock if she wasn’t elevating the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup in two weeks’ time.
Jarryd Barca: It may be the protected choose, however Sabalenka deserves clear favoritism. The world No. 1 is chasing redemption after final 12 months’s heartbreak in Melbourne, and her bodily energy provides her a real edge over a lot of the area. She carries expectation, however she has proved she will be able to deal with the stress on the most important phases earlier than. That stated, Elena Rybakina is certainly a hazard. She’s putting the ball very well, not too long ago had a 13-match successful streak earlier than her quarterfinal exit in Brisbane, and beat Sabalenka twice in 2025. She’s a former finalist in Melbourne, too, and is certainly geared up sufficient to go deep once more.
Australian Open Girls’s Odds
Invoice Connelly: It is actually troublesome to choose in opposition to Sabalenka. She has received 20 of her previous 21 Australian Open matches, she has begun 2026 in torrid kind — she beat Keys, Karolina Muchova and Marta Kostyuk with out dropping a set (and even attending to 5-all in a set) in Brisbane — and the subsequent highest-seeded participant in her quarter is Jasmine Paolini, in opposition to whom she has received 10 straight units. She nonetheless may need to outlive Gauff within the semis (she’s solely 6-6 all time versus the American), and whoever emerges from a loaded backside quarter of the draw, be it Rybakina, Swiatek, Naomi Osaka or another person, might be supremely battle-tested. However that is Sabalenka’s to lose.
D’Arcy Maine: Clearly Sabalenka is the favourite right here, and for good motive, however Gauff ought to definitely be on this dialog. Additionally getting into the match using some momentum, Gauff completed 2025 with the title in Wuhan and recorded a powerful 6-4, 6-2 victory over Swiatek within the semifinals on the United Cup. Whereas nobody has a straightforward path in Melbourne to the ultimate — and Marketa Vondrousova (third spherical), Muchova or Emma Navarro (fourth spherical), and Mirra Andreeva or Elina Svitolina (quarters) might be tough — Gauff nonetheless has a extra favorable draw than others and can doubtless arrange a conflict with Sabalenka within the semis.
Gauff has proved — on a number of events — she will be able to beat Sabalenka whereas the stakes are highest and this might be no exception. Gauff thrives within the underdog function. Making her first Australian Open last, and even claiming the title, feels effectively inside attain.
Who do you suppose will win the boys’s singles title, and why?
Michaels: Up to now of his profession, the Australian Open hasn’t introduced out the devastating, ruthless better of Alcaraz. Not solely is the match the one main the Spaniard has but to win, it is one he has — considerably extremely — by no means superior previous the quarterfinal stage at. Final season on tour was Alcaraz’s most spectacular, successful 71 matches, together with titles at Roland Garros and Flushing Meadows. He is primed for Melbourne Park and searching the profession Grand Slam. You would be courageous to guess in opposition to him!
Barca: I am unable to look forward to the second Alcaraz lastly completes the profession Grand Slam, and it completely may occur this 12 months, however I nonetheless have an excessive amount of religion in Sinner on arduous courts. The Italian continues to hit new heights virtually each time he steps onto the courtroom — his pace, baseline energy, composure and psychological toughness nonetheless unmatched. It is simple to see why the world No. 2 is chasing a threepeat in Melbourne, and after the best way he closed out his 2025 season, which included beating Alcaraz to say a second straight ATP Finals title in Turin, it is troublesome to see anybody stopping him.
Australian Open Males’s Odds
Connelly: Final we noticed both Alcaraz or Sinner taking part in in an actual match, Sinner was topping Alcaraz, 7-6, 7-5, indoors in Turin. Up to now 12 months, Sinner is 49-2 in opposition to gamers not named Alcaraz (and a type of losses was a third-set retirement), whereas Alcaraz is 52-3 in opposition to non-Sinners over the previous 9 months. They’ve distanced themselves so completely from the remainder of the sphere that it is virtually unattainable to ascertain another person successful a Slam within the close to future. The perimeters within the Alcaraz-Sinner rivalry have shifted backwards and forwards a number of occasions, however Sinner has received two of the previous three (accomplished) matches within the collection, so I will lean ever so barely within the Italian’s path.
Maine: My preliminary response right here was to flip a coin between Alcaraz and Sinner. After all, no different man has received a significant title since 2023 they usually’ve performed one another within the earlier three Slam finals, and all of us get it. They’re clearly the very best two gamers on this planet and the boys to beat.
However even in the course of the top of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic’s dominance, others did often break by way of. So, partly simply to maintain it fascinating right here, why not Daniil Medvedev? After a dismal 2025 season, he regarded resurgent in Brisbane final week and obtained a much-needed confidence enhance with the title. If he may probably escape Felix Auger-Aliassime within the fourth spherical and Alexander Zverev within the quarters, he would arrange a conflict with Alcaraz within the semis. Certain, Alcaraz is, effectively, Alcaraz, however that is his first match with out longtime coach Juan Carlos Ferrero. Medvedev can be a three-time finalist in Melbourne. If Medvedev may win that one, perhaps he may rediscover the identical magic that helped him beat Sinner within the 2024 Wimbledon quarterfinals. Why not, proper?
Which participant outdoors of the highest 10 may shock within the subsequent two weeks?
Michaels: Okay, he is solely simply outdoors the ATP’s high 10, and he is hardly an unknown identify in tennis circles, however why cannot Medvedev rediscover his greatest this fortnight? After a woeful 2025 season, through which he received only one match at Grand Slam degree, Medvedev started the brand new 12 months brightly by taking out the Brisbane Worldwide. He is a three-time finalist at Melbourne Park, seems rejuvenated underneath his new teaching workforce, and, as all the time appears to be the case in Australia, will fly dangerously underneath the radar.
Barca: To even take into account wanting previous Sinner and Alcaraz it’s essential to take a look at gamers with real weapons, maturity and perception — these that may actually pounce if a favourite slips. Medvedev suits that mould completely. He has made three finals in Melbourne for a motive, has already received a title in 2026, and he has an inexpensive 7-8 file in opposition to two-time defending champion Sinner. He has the instruments to do it, as long as he brings the fitting temperament. Regulate Jiri Lehecka, too. The world No. 19 picked up three top-10 wins in 2025, and it took Sinner, Alcaraz and Djokovic to cease him in three of final 12 months’s Grand Slams.
Editor’s Picks
1 Associated
Connelly: Medvedev is a transparent risk, particularly since he landed in Zverev’s quarter, the precise place you need to land for a strong run. Learner Tien is in that quarter, as effectively, and he is 3-2 all time in opposition to Medvedev and Zverev (and beat Medvedev in Melbourne final 12 months). They’re each value watching.
On the ladies’s facet, the tour is so deep that any variety of gamers within the double digits may make a run. However I am wanting primarily at two names. No. 17 Victoria Mboko enters the Australian Open on one other sizzling streak, having rebounded from a post-breakthrough funk (she battled damage and misplaced 5 of seven after successful the WTA 1000 summer time occasion in Montreal) and reestablished nice kind. She’s one of many few gamers who can match Sabalenka’s energy, and the 2 may find yourself taking part in within the fourth spherical. In the meantime, No. 19 Karolina Muchova landed in Gauff’s quarter, and whereas she has had virtually no success in opposition to the American, she’s a three-time semifinalist in hard-court Slams, and he or she beat the in any other case torrid Rybakina in Brisbane. Anytime she’s wholesome and in rhythm, she’s a risk.
Maine: There are such a lot of girls who may shock, and with the depth of the tour, it is virtually sure somebody ranked outdoors of the highest 10 — and certain effectively outdoors of the highest 10 — will do exactly that. However, as foolish because it sounds in some methods, it feels value mentioning that two-time Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka is right here. The No. 16 seed ended the 2025 main season with a semifinal look on the US Open — her greatest end result since getting back from maternity go away firstly of 2024 — and appears to have gotten her confidence and hard-court swagger again. She may probably face Swiatek within the fourth spherical and if that’s something like their iconic match on the 2024 French Open, we might all be in for a deal with — and maybe a distinct end result this time round.
Betting ideas
All odds through DraftKings Sportsbook as of time of publication.
Who’s your girls’s choose to win?
Pamela Maldonado: Aryna Sabalenka (+185). Sure, she’s the favourite. Sure, it is boring however sure, it additionally makes probably the most sense. Her draw minimizes early stress, her serve creates free factors in Melbourne situations and her maintain price separates her from the sphere. Sabalenka can keep away from lengthy rallies, which preserves vitality throughout a full match schedule. When the floor rewards serve-plus-one tennis and the bracket avoids elite returners early, the shortest worth can nonetheless be the fitting one.
Andre Snellings: Any American Participant (+250). If I have been choosing a single participant to win I’d choose Sabalenka, however DraftKings provides us this very fascinating hedge guess. There was an American lady in all 4 Grand Slam finals final 12 months, together with 2025 Australian Open winner Madison Keys. Keys, No. 3 seed and 2025 French Open champion Coco Gauff, two-time 2025 main finalist Amanda Anisimova and 2025 US Open semifinalist Jessica Pegula are all among the many high 11 favorites to win on DraftKings. Gauff and Anisimova are every favored to win their quarters and attain the semifinals, and each Anisimova and Keys have massive hitting kinds which are conducive to the quick courts of Melbourne Park.
Who’s your males’s choose to win?
Maldonado: Jannik Sinner (-120). Gross. I wished to choose Carlos Alcaraz at +185, however Sinner is the one I maintain coming again to. He is 22-4 right here with two titles as a result of he would not bleed vitality early. Quick level, clear serving patterns and no emotional detours. Alcaraz can outplay him on a given day, however over seven matches, Sinner breaks much less. This worth accounts for surviving the fortnight, which is why the market stopped debating expertise and priced inevitability in Melbourne.
Snellings: Jannik Sinner (-120). Sinner’s file on arduous courtroom over the previous two seasons appears like a misprint: 92-6, together with three championships and a finals look within the 4 hard-court Grand Slams. He and top-seeded Carlos Alcaraz have turned the Grand Slams into their very own personal one-on-one match, having received the previous eight majors in a row with 4 wins apiece. Whereas Alcaraz received the 2025 US Open, Sinner is the higher and extra constant of the 2 on the floor. And the courts at Melbourne Park play quicker than on the US Open, which performs additional into Sinner’s strengths and makes him practically unbeatable on the floor.
What’s one other guess that stands out on the ladies’s facet?
Maldonado: Again to the futures market, Amanda Anisimova (+900) caught my eye. It is a floor and draw play. Her flat ball takes time away, which issues in Melbourne when situations pace up. The quarter is risky, the highest seeds there leak and Anisimova’s ceiling in clear hitting matches is Slam-winning excessive. You are betting on variance for you. At this quantity, you want timing and one sizzling week.
Snellings: Naomi Osaka to achieve the semifinals (+700). Osaka was as soon as the very best hard-court participant on this planet, successful 4 of the six hard-court Grand Slams (between the 2018 US Open and the 2021 Australian Open) earlier than stepping away from the tour for psychological well being causes and to have a child. Osaka made enormous strides in her comeback final season, making the ultimate of the WTA 1000 degree Canadian Open earlier than reaching the semifinal on the US Open. In keeping with DraftKings, Iga Swiatek (+140) is favored to come back out of this quarter, but when Osaka is taking part in at her degree, she nonetheless has the big-hitting recreation that may defeat any participant on this floor.
What’s one other guess that stands out on the boys’s facet?
Maldonado: Daniil Medvedev to win the second quarter (+200). Betting is about on the lookout for mispriced gadgets, and I take into account this a type of. He is off to a sizzling begin in 2026: 5-0, successful Brisbane, whereas additionally main Alexander Zverev face to face 14-8 (they may meet within the quarterfinal). This quarter is about who can take up stress over 5 units. Medvedev’s return profile, elasticity, and willingness to increase rallies forces opponents to hit further balls. Zverev’s serve retains him alive however as soon as matches drag, his return would not apply sufficient stress, making him weak together with his draw path. Over a piece constructed on attrition, Meddy survives extra typically. At plus-money, that is the guess.
Snellings: Alex De Minaur to achieve the semifinals (+900). De Minaur is the Australian high seed, carrying the hope of the house nation on this match, and has been loudly knocking on the door to make his first Grand Slam semifinal for the previous two years. De Minaur has made the quarterfinal in 5 of the previous seven Grand Slams, together with the 2025 Australian Open. He’s within the quarter with No. 1 total seed Carlos Alcaraz, however that is Alcaraz’s least profitable main match. Actually, Alcaraz has by no means made the semifinal on the Australian Open himself. Whereas De Minaur has a tricky draw, this might be the match the place he lastly breaks by way of and wins a type of main quarterfinal appearances.
Who’s your favourite lengthy shot guess to win the ladies’s title?
Maldonado: Not a lot of an extended shot by way of odds, however Mirra Andreeva (+1600) stands out. She has early ball management and return depth — enormous strengths. Her part is unstable on the high leaving a cracked door. As a result of she would not depend on serving hatred or streaky winners, she will be able to excel by taking time away, which travels over two weeks. Plus, she’s unusually mentally regular for a youthful participant: no panic when matches get tight.
Snellings: Victoria Mboko (+3500) burst onto the scene final 12 months at age 18, highlighted by a win on the WTA 1000 degree Canadian Open through which she defeated Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina and Naomi Osaka alongside the best way. Mboko was voted the 2025 WTA Newcomer of the Yr and is off to a sizzling begin this 12 months with an upset victory over 2025 Australian Open champion Madison Keys within the Adelaide Worldwide quarterfinals. Mboko’s recreation is constructed on energy with a giant serve and forehand that may play effectively on the Melbourne arduous courts, and he or she dietary supplements that energy with wonderful motion across the courtroom. She might not have a lot expertise, however she has the sport of a future Grand Slam champion … and the long run might be now.
Who’s your favourite lengthy shot guess to win the boys’s title?
Maldonado: It is a true lengthy shot, so do not come for me: Hubert Hurkacz (+100000). I simply laughed at that myself. He has the serve dominance and quick level management. That is his complete profile. Actually. His quarter is loaded with names, however not killers — and that is a distinction. Over 5 units, his serve holds worth when kind dips and that retains variance on his facet. Is he the very best participant? No. Can his recreation survive seven matches with minimal leakage? If his serve is on fireplace, sure.
Snellings: Novak Djokovic (+1600). It is superb that we have so rapidly reached the purpose the place Djokovic is an extended shot to win the Australian Open. Djokovic is probably the most dominant participant in Australian Open historical past, having received 10 of the 14 occasions he has performed the match, together with 4 of the previous six. Djokovic reached the semifinal of all 4 Grand Slam tournaments final 12 months, and has made the semifinal at Melbourne Park every of the previous two years. The place age has slowed him has been in sturdiness, with a number of of these semifinal exits (together with each in Australia) coming amidst rumor of damage or sickness. If Djokovic can keep wholesome and match for the total two weeks, he nonetheless has the sport to beat anybody — together with Sinner and Alcaraz — on the Australian Open.
