<p>The summer of tennis is officially here! That means it’s nearly&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/tennis/ladies-australian-open/ladies-australian-open-winner-2026-8892430">Australian Open</a> time.</p> <p><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/australian-open/predictions/mens-draw-2026">We’ve run the rule over the boy’s side of the draw</a> and now it’s time to see which ladies have the best shot at taking out the 2026 Australian Open.</p> <p>There are a couple of clear favourites and some solid smokeys, as well as plenty of value to be had backing the defending champ.</p> <p>There’s also one or two Aussie girls in the mix who have the ability to cause some chaos and go on a memorable run at Melbourne Park.</p> <p>Looking for a betting tip for the 2026 Australian Open? You’ve come to the right place. For the latest analysis, news and odds for players like Sabalenka, Swiatek and everyone in between, check out our Australian Open Ladies Predictions below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Australian Open Ladies Predictions 2026 – The Favourites</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Aryna Sabalenka</h3> <p>World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka enters the 2026 Australian Open as the definitive player to beat.</p> <p>Her dominance on the hard courts of Melbourne Park is undeniable, having secured back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024.</p> <p>She also won the US Open in 2025, which is played on a similar surface to the Aus Open, further underlining her capabilities on hardcourt.</p> <p>Despite losing last year’s Australian Open final to massive underdog Madison Keys, given her track record and comfort on this surface, Sabalenka is the clear favourite to lift the trophy again.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Iga Swiatek</h3> <p>While clay remains Iga Swiatek’s strongest surface, she is a perennial contender wherever she plays.</p> <p>The current world No. 2 will aim to improve on her previous Melbourne results, where the fast courts haven't always favoured her heavy topspin forehand. Swiatek’s athleticism and movement remain elite, allowing her to defend brilliantly and turn defence into offense quickly.</p> <p>Her chances at the 2026 Australian Open depend on her ability to flatten out her shots and serve consistently against power hitters.</p> <p>Swiatek has consistently reached the second week here, including a semifinal run in both 2022 and 2025. Is 2026 the year she finally makes the final? The odds would suggest so.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Elena Rybakina</h3> <p>Rounding out the three favourites in the Ladies Australian Open draw is Elena Rybakina.</p> <p>The 26-year-old remains one of the most dangerous players on tour when healthy. Her game is built for the fast courts of Melbourne Park, relying on a booming serve and flat, powerful groundstrokes that keep points short.</p> <p>Her past results validate her threat level. She reached the final here in 2023 and is a Wimbledon champion, so look to her to make a serious splash at the 2026 AO.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Australian Open Ladies Predictions 2026 – Under the Radar Options</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Amanda Anisimova</h3> <p>Amanda Anisimova enters the 2026 Australian Open as the best of the rest. While she has never made it past the fourth round at Melbourne Park, she made both the Wimbledon and US Open Final last year and enters the 2026 Aus Open in career best form.</p> <p>Success for Anisimova depends on consistency and movement. While her offensive firepower is elite, she must limit unforced errors to sustain a deep run. If she finds her rhythm early, her aggressive game makes her a dangerous contender capable of reaching the second week or beyond.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Coco Gauff</h3> <p>Two-time Grand Slam champion Coco Gauff will be looking to add one of two missing majors to her trophy cabinet, at the 2026 Aus Open.</p> <p>A French and US Open champion, only Wimbledon and the AO elude her in terms of major titles.</p> <p>Somehow, Gauff is still only 21, which is mildly insane considering she’s been on tour for the last six years.</p> <p>That means she possesses a unique blend of both youth and experience and with a game based on pure power, she certainly has the weapons to better her 2024 run at Melbourne Park, which saw her make the final four.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Madison Keys</h3> <p>The defending champion as the last of the under the radar options? Yep, do not adjust your devices, at the time of writing, Madison Keys is paying over 20.00 to go back-to-back at Melbourne Park in 2026.</p> <p>Her victory over Sabalenka last year, was a late game triumph, with that win securing Keys’ first major title over a decade into her career.</p> <p>While father time is working against her, there’s no reason why Keys can’t run it back with another string of upsets at this year’s edition of the AO.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Australian Open Ladies Predictions 2026 – Local Hopes</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Maya Joint</h3> <p>Despite being a teenager, 19-year-old Maya Joint is the highest ranked Aussie lady at the 2026 Australian Open.</p> <p>She’ll be looking to make it past the first round for the first time ever and if she can control her nerves in front of a raucous home crowd, there’s no reason she can’t do exactly that.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Daria Kasatkina</h3> <p>Just like that, we have a new Aussie tennis superstar. Daria Kasatkina officially changed nationalities from Russian to Australian last year and is ready to make a splash at her new home tournament.</p> <p>The 28-year-old has been ranked as high as 8th in the world and has made it to the final four of a major before. There’s no denying it, she is our best shot at Aus Open glory in the ladies’ bracket.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Ajla Tomljanovic</h3> <p>Rounding out the local hopes at the 2026 Australian Open, is fan favourite Ajla Tomljanovic.</p> <p>The sun is definitely setting on her career, but maybe one last memorable run at Melbourne Park is on the cards. Watch this space.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Australian Open Dates and Details 2026</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Dates: </strong>Monday, January 12 – Sunday, February 1, 2026.</p> <p><strong>Location:</strong> Melbourne, Victoria.</p> <p><strong>Arena:</strong> Melbourne Park.</p> <p><strong>Where to watch:</strong> Channel 9, 9Now and Stan Sport.&nbsp;</p>