<p><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/tennis">The 2026 Australian Open</a> reaches a fever pitch as world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka faces off against Ukrainian veteran and 12th seed Elina Svitolina in a blockbuster semifinal at Melbourne Park.</p> <p>In 2026, Aryna Sabalenka is yet to drop a set and has the <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/tennis/all-tennis">tennis</a> world at her feet. She’s chasing greatness, powering towards her third Australian Open crown after four consecutive final appearances.</p> <p>Svitolina is also in career-best form, qualifying her first-ever Aus Open Semi Final after 13 attempts.</p> <p>Sabalenka booked her spot with a clinical 6-3, 6-0 demolition of teenage breakout star Iva Jovic. Not to be outdone, Svitolina produced the upset of the tournament by routing world No.3 Coco Gauff 6-1, 6-2 in just 59 minutes.</p> <p>Svitolina will be desperate to add a grand slam finals appearance to her already stellar resume, but the frightening power of the hard-court queen Sabalenka stands in her way.</p> <p>For the latest analysis and expert tips, check out our Sabalenka vs Svitolina prediction below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Sabalenka vs Svitolina Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Match Betting</h3> <p>Sabalenka leads the lifetime rivalry 5-1, having won their last four meetings. Most recently, she snapped Svitolina's 11-match winning streak in the 2025 Madrid semifinal with a 6-3, 7-5 victory.</p> <p>Sabalenka has been the most aggressive player in the draw, racking up a field-leading 143 winners through five matches. And with the first seed winning 91% of service games, breaking is a near impossible feat.</p> <p>Sabalenka also has one of the fastest serves in women’s tennis, which puts an immense amount of pressure on Svitolina’s return game.</p> <p>Svitolina can win if she’s able to extend rallies, make Sabalenka move across the court and exploit mistakes, but it will have to be a near perfect performance.</p> <p>While Svitolina is guaranteed a return to the Top 10 following this run, Sabalenka’s power on hard courts will likely prove too much for the Ukrainian to handle.</p> <p>The veteran Svitolina is a smart player and will bring an airtight gameplan to Melbourne Park for this semi-final.</p> <p>But gameplans tend to go out the window when you’re facing the best in the world, who is relentlessly committed to belting tennis balls at you at 170kmph.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/tennis/ladies-australian-open/aryna-sabalenka-v-elina-svitolina-10091011">Aryna Sabalenka.</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Set Betting</h3> <p>Sabalenka’s efficiency in tight moments makes a straight sets victory a strong possibility, currently priced at 1.80.</p> <p>Sabalenka hasn’t dropped a set so far in 2026 and recently achieved the incredible feat of reaching eight consecutive Grand Slam semifinals on hard courts.</p> <p>Svitolina's best chance lies in her tactical evolution; against Gauff, she planted herself on the baseline to rob her opponent of time and pressure them into mistakes.</p> <p>However, Sabalenka has won their last three hard-court encounters in straight sets, suggesting she has the blueprint to manage the Ukrainian's defensive grit.</p> <p>If Sabalenka can continue to use her power to avoid being pressured into errors, then this match will likely be a two setter.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/tennis/ladies-australian-open/aryna-sabalenka-v-elina-svitolina-10091011">Aryna Sabalenka 2-0.</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Total Match Games</h3> <p>The total match games line for this semifinal is set at 20.5.</p> <p>Sabalenka has been finishing matches with devastating speed, losing only four games in her quarterfinal.</p> <p>While Svitolina showed she can be tough on the court during her upset of Gauff, Sabalenka's ability to create angles and smash winners often leads to shorter sets.</p> <p>If you’re attending Melbourne Park, skip the line for drinks because this one might be over quickly.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/tennis/ladies-australian-open/aryna-sabalenka-v-elina-svitolina-10091011">Under 20.5 total match games.</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Where to Watch the Sabalenka vs Svitolina Australian Open Semi Final?</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>For those in Australia, you can watch the 2026 Australian Open semifinal on the Nine Network.</p> <p>Available on both free-to-air on Channel 9 and 9Gem, you can also watch online via 9Now. Alternatively, you can stream the match on Stan Sport.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em>*Odds are subject to change.</em></p>