Australian Open 2026: Aryna Sabalenka vs. Elina Svitolina Preview, Prediction, and Live Stream Details

Aryna Sabalenka holds a 5-1 lead over Elina Svitolina in their head-to-head record.

Australian Open 2026: Aryna Sabalenka vs. Elina Svitolina Preview, Prediction, and Live Stream Details

Aryna Sabalenka and Elina Svitolina (via X/The Tennis Letter)

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A highly anticipated clash awaits at the Australian Open semi-finals as Aryna Sabalenka takes on Elina Svitolina. Top seed Sabalenka is aiming for her third title in four tournaments at the tournament, having secured the championship in 2023 and 2024. Last year, she finished as a runner-up after losing in three sets to American star Madison Keys.

Svitolina will make a remarkable comeback to the WTA top 10 for the first time since 2022 with Keys leaving the elite group after crashing out in the fourth round. The Ukrainian defeated Russian stars Diana Shnaider and Mirra Andreeva en route to the semi-finals. The clashes were imbued with a significant geopolitical backdrop. In the semi-finals, she will be faced with another.

Aryna Sabalenka vs. Elina Svitolina: Match Details

  • Venue: Rod Laver Arena
  • Time: TBD
  • Round: Semi-finals Surface: Outdoor hardcourt
  • Date: January 29, 2026
  • Tournament: Australian Open 2026
  • Match: Aryna Sabalenka vs. Elina Svitolina

Aryna Sabalenka vs. Elina Svitolina: Match Preview

Aryna Sabalenka is yet to lose a match this season, which has become her standard since 2024. The World No.1 claimed her first title of the season at the Brisbane International after beating Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk. She arrived in Melbourne with the intention of winning her fifth Grand Slam on tour.

The 27-year-old is yet to drop a set at the Australian Open, beating French qualifier Tiantsoa Sarah Rakotomanga Rajaonah and Chinese Zhuoxuan Bai in the first and second round, before overcoming Anastasia Potapova 7-6 (4), 7-6 (7) in the third round. Despite a tough test against Victoria Mboko, Sabalenka overcame the teenage star 6-1, 7-6(1) and then breezed past Iva Jovic 6-3, 6-0 in the quarter-finals.

Aryna Sabalenka
Aryna Sabalenka (Image via X/HQ Pics)

On the other hand, Elina Svitolina holds a 10-0 record on tour this season. The Ukrainian star looks refreshed on the court after taking a mental break last year. She didn’t feature in any tournament after the 2025 US Open following successive poor results on tour. She kicked off her 2026 campaign with a triumph at the Auckland Classics.

The 12th seed is yet to drop a set at the Australian Open, winning Cristina Bucșa 6-4, 6-1 and Poland’s Linda Klimovicova 7-5, 6-1 in the first and second rounds. In the third round, she came through a high-intensity battle over No.23 seed Diana Shnaider 7-6(4), 6-3 before beating Mirra Andreeva 6-2, 6-4. In the quarter-finals, she gave her best performance at the Australian Open, overcoming Coco Gauff 6-1, 6-2 in less than an hour.

Aryna Sabalenka vs. Elina Svitolina: Match Prediction

Aryna Sabalenka is currently playing with top confidence on the court and it seems to have the momentum on her side. But Elina Svitolina will be very hard to crack. Both players entered the first Grand Slam of the season, winning their warm-up tournaments, and are currently on a 10-match winning streak. Also, they are yet to drop a set at the tournament.

Elina Svitolina
Elina Svitolina (Image via X/Elina Monfils)

Svitolina, who took a mental health break last year, looks like a rejuvenated player. She demonstrated that against Coco Gauff, beating the American star with so much ease and without pressure. However, she holds an underwhelming 1-5 head-to-head record against Sabalenka, who is making her 14th major semi-final.

The only time Svitolina beat Sabalenka was at the Strasbourg Open in 2020. Sabalenka defeated the Ukrainian in straight sets at the 2025 Italian Open and has dropped just one set in their last four encounters. On paper, Sabalenka is the favorite to win, but it won’t be a walk in the park for her.

Match prediction: Aryna Sabalenka to win in three sets.

Aryna Sabalenka vs. Elina Svitolina: Live Stream Details

  • India – SONY
  • USA – ESPN, Tennis Channel
  • UK – TNT Sports
  • Canada – TSN, RDS
  • Australia – Nine, Stan. Sports
  • New Zealand– SKY

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