Australian Open Semifinals Predictions: Aryna Sabalenka vs Elina Svitolina

The superstar results of Aryna Sabalenka collide with veteran star Elina Svitolina in the semifinals of the 2026 Australian Open in Melbourne. Which player will have the guile to advance to the women’s singles final?

Aryna Sabalenka vs Elina Svitolina

Zain: In a matchup between the best player in the world in Aryna Sabalenka and the most in-form player in the world in Elina Svitolina, a place in the final of the first Major of the year is on the line. Svitolina enters this matchup having absolutely destroyed Coco Gauff in the last round, along with a win over Mirra Andreeva along the way, ensuring that her confidence is at an all-time high.

For Sabalenka, this is becoming routine, as she has now made eight consecutive hard-court Major semifinals, a streak dating back to 2022. She comes into the match on the back of defeating a couple of up-and-coming talents on the WTA Tour in Victoria Mboko and Iva Jovic.

Ultimately, this is a matchup that Sabalenka really likes and one in which she has had most of the success. A key reason is that she can effectively counter-bash the clean striking of Svitolina, returning the ball with even more pace. Her advantage in the serve-and-return dynamic also gives her an edge, and when one player is both the better server and the stronger baseliner in a matchup, it is very difficult to see a different outcome, no matter how good the form of the other player may be.

Prediction: Sabalenka in 2

Jordan: Svitolina has an incredible record against Russian and Belarusian players, but the world No. 1 is the sole exception, winning their last four meetings. The Ukrainian’s outstanding level, including destroying Coco Gauff in the quarterfinal, means her chances should not be ruled out. Right now, Sabalenka is the only player I would back to beat her. Svitolina’s excellent form is not enough for me to back her against the woman who has reached every Grand Slam hard court final since the 2023 Australian Open.

Prediction: Sabalenka in 3

Nurein: One streak will have to give here as both Sabalenka and Svitolina own a 10-0 record this season. Each won a warm-up tournament prior to the Australian Open. Sabalenka has undoubtedly been the player to beat not just in Melbourne but everywhere else she competes. She’s been consistent in the past two to three years and has not lost a set in the tournament this fortnight. Svitolina brings excellent numbers too and is coming off a truly astonishing straight sets demolition of Coco Gauff in the quarterfinal. On balance, Sabalenka has the power edge here, Grand Slam winning pedigree at this stage of the tournament and a dominant head-to-head advantage that is hard to ignore.

Prediction: Sabalenka in 2

Ateet: Aryna Sabalenka vs Elina Svitolina The fourth time is the charm for Elina Svitolina, who is in her first Australian Open semifinal. It has taken some of the best tennis of her career to reach this stage, defeating two back-to-back top-10 players. She outplayed Coco Gauff in every department in the quarterfinals. She will be full of confidence to take on the world No.1. Aryna Sabalenka also played her best match of the tournament, defeating Iva Jovic in straight sets. Sabalenka has the advantage in the head-to-head, but Svitolina has never arrived in this form in this matchup. I am expecting a close battle between two great fighters, but Sabalenka’s serve and extra power give her the edge. 

Prediction: Sabalenka in 3