The draw for the Australian Open was held on Thursday afternoon at Melbourne Park and the main tournament continues on Sunday.
Aryna Sabalenka is a two-time champion and 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 on the men’s side – where Carlos Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner almost win. Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina, Mirra Andreeva, and defending champion Madison Keys are all in the real AO mix
Here are my best bets on the women’s side at the 2026 Australian Open.
Amanda Anisimova (+900)
Anisimova had a great start on the WTA Tour in 2025, reaching two Grand Slam finals (Wimbledon, US Open) and rising to world number 4. The next obvious step in his career is to take on a major title, and there’s no reason he can’t do it Down Under. Being the No. 4 seed puts her in a good position in Melbourne, as she avoids Sabalenka, Swiatek, and Gauff at least until the semifinals (Anisimova will meet Swiatek in the semis and either Sabalenka or Gauff in the finals).
Karolina Muchova (+5000)
Muchova is another former major finalist who is looking to win for the first time in one of the four major events. The 19th-ranked Czech finished second to Swiatek at Roland Garros in 2023. He has advanced to three other Grand Slam semifinals (including Down Under in 2021) and three more quarterfinals. If it weren’t for recurring injuries, Muchova would be a perennial top-10 player and probably still a slam player by now. Well, better late than never. The 29-year-old is healthy and playing well, coming off a semi-final in Brisbane (beat Rybakina, lost to Sabalenka).
Elena Rybakina (+800)
Rybakina raced to the 2023 Aussie Open title match before falling to Sabalenka. Success at the slams is not unusual for the 26-year-old Kazakh, who won at Wimbledon in 2022. He also reached the semifinals at Wimbledon in 2024 and has advanced to three other major quarterfinals. In addition, Rybakina ended last season in incredible form. The world No. 5 has won her last 11 matches, including a title at the prestigious WTA Finals. Up against Sabalenka and Gauff in the AO bracket, Rybakina should fancy her chances over the next two days.
Check the Australian Open draw on the tournament website
