2026 Australian Open Women’s Draw: Preview and Prediction Featuring Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, and Elena Rybakina

The qualifying rounds of the Australian Open are underway at Melbourne Park, while the main draw will start on January 18. Madison Keys will enter the tournament as the defending champion.

Last year, Keys clinched her career’s first title with a three-set win over Aryna Sabalenka, denying her the three-peat. Sabalenka, who defended her Brisbane International crown, will be bidding for her fifth Grand Slam singles title.

Tournament Details

• Defending Champion: Aryna Sabalenka
• Tournament: 2026 Australian Open
• Date: January 18- February 1
• No. of Entrants: 128 (Singles)
• Venue: Melbourne Park
• Surface: Outdoor hardcourt
• Total Prize Money Pool: $74.9 million

Top seeds at the 2026 Australian Open

• Aryna Sabalenka
• Iga Swiatek
• Coco Gauff
• Amanda Anisimova
• Elena Rybakina
• Jessica Pegula
• Jasmine Paolini
• Mirra Andreeva
• Madison Keys
• Belinda Bencic

First quarter

Aryna Sabalenka will headline the first quarter. The World No.1 could meet 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu in the third round.

This quarter also features reigning Canadian Open champion Victoria Mboko. Sabalenka could meet the Canadian if they both reach the fourth round.

But in the quarterfinals, Sabalenka is projected to lock horns with two-time Grand Slam singles finalist Jasmine Paolini. Apart from the aforementioned players, this quarter also has Yulia Putintseva, Marta Kostyuk, and Ekaterina Alexandrova.

Quarterfinal prediction: Aryna Sabalenka vs. Jasmine Paolini

Second quarter

The player who will be the favorite to reach the quarterfinals from this quarter is World No.3 Coco Gauff. She could also meet her idol, Venus Williams, if they both reach the second round.

Williams will be playing her first tournament since the 2025 US Open, where she lost to Karolina Muchova in three sets. Elina Svitolina, Mirra Andreeva, Alexandra Eala, Dayana Yastremska, and Emma Navarro are also a part of this draw.

Quarterfinal prediction: Coco Gauff vs. Mirra Andreeva

Third quarter

Defending champion Madison Keys will headline this quarter. She is projected to meet compatriot Jessica Pegula in the fourth round.

The second half of this quarter features two-time Grand Slam finalist Amanda Anisimova. Apart from them, this quarter has players such as Paula Badosa, Linda Noskova, Jelena Ostapenko, and Sofia Kenin.

Quarterfinal prediction: Jessica Pegula vs. Amanda Anisimova

Fourth quarter

Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina are the favorites to reach the quarterfinals. But prior to reaching the last eight, the Kazakh ace could run into Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Belinda Bencic in the fourth round.

The Pole is projected to meet four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka in the last 16. Maya Joint, Katie Boulter, Elise Mertens, Liudmila Samsonova, and Anna Kalinskaya are a few names who are part of this quarter.

Quarterfinal prediction: Iga Swiatek vs. Elena Rybakina

Semifinals

The Sabalenka versus Gauff possible clash is expected to be a tight meeting. But because of Sabalenla’s past results in Melbourne, she would be the favorite to emerge victorious.

Swiatek is a two-time semifinalist at the Australian Open, and if she wins, she will complete the Career Grand Slam. It was Anisimova who Swiatek double-bageled in last year’s Wimbledon final to end her trophy drought.

Semifinal prediction:

• Aryna Sabalenka vs. Coco Gauff
• Amanda Anisimova vs. Iga Swiatek

Final

Although Swiatek holds an 8-5 head-to-head record over Sabalenka, it was the four-time Grand Slam singles champion who registered wins in their previous two meetings, including in the semifinals of last year’s Roland Garros, where Swiatek was playing as the three-time defending champion.

Thanks to Sabalenka’s record in hard-court Grand Slam (she won her four titles on the surface), she would enter the match as the favorite to win. In the final in 2023, she defeated Rybakina, while in the final in 2024, she went past Qinwen Zheng.

Final prediction: Aryna Sabalenka vs. Iga Swiatek
Winner prediction: Aryna Sabalenka

Also read: Kim Clijsters Explains How Coco Gauff is Putting Iga Swiatek ‘Out of Balance’ After Latest Defeat