Australian Open 2026

 DTM had a great Wednesday with both Elena Rybakina and Jessica Pegula coming through their much anticipated quarter finals. Virtually everything DTM forecasted in his blurb came about. Anisimova was -26 on her winners to unforced error ratio. This is a major issue for her moving forwards. Pegula exposed her high error count by playing sm

 DTM had a great Wednesday with both Elena Rybakina and Jessica Pegula coming through their much anticipated quarter finals. Virtually everything DTM forecasted in his blurb came about. Anisimova was -26 on her winners to unforced error ratio. This is a major issue for her moving forwards. Pegula exposed her high error count by playing smart tennis. Remember Anisimova has not won a major grand slam event and her two biggest wins to date were against Noskova and Ostapenko in the final. Her biggest win in those events was arguably against Coco Gauff and we know where her game is at? Until she wins at the highest level by beating the current top 3 or 4 players a big ? remains. Does she have a B game that can compete because she cannot expect to hit enough winners every match ? For other reasons previously shared Iga Swiatek is also struggling to win any match against the current top players. Her game is seriously exposed on a fast hard court. Remember she didn't have to beat the very top players to win Wimbledon. Not her fault but worth bearing in mind. Her wins last year were against Alexandrova and Paolini. Her proven winning form against the current top 3/4 players in consecutive matches is non existent. For both of these players the psychological impact is significant. They don't have the confidence of recently winning this big matches. Whereas Elena Rybakina and Jessica Pegula are confident and have recent history of playing well against the big names who are competing to win the slams. Back to the ratio - Rybakina was +7 and Pegula -1. Sabalenka in her win in the last 8 was +14. 

The semi-final between Elena Rybakina and Jessica Pegula is very difficult to call and so no investment on the winner is the sensible option. DTM advice is to watch and enjoy. Whoever wins this match has to beat Aryna Sabalenka as well ? A 3 set outcome is highly likely. Rybakina has been DTM's pick since the outset but Pegula is the nearly woman on the tour. Her US Open match with Sabalenka last autumn was the best match of the season in his opinion. Pegula played amazing yet lost. If she plays that standard then Rybakina will be in trouble. Regardless this match will be close !

Coco Gauff's performance against Elina Svitolina was no surprise to DTM. Gauff continues to struggle and yet agin both her serve and forehand were exposed under the lights in her quarter final. A bit like her previous match Svitolina played smart tennis and sustained her level at certain moments but in truth she has gained two big wins without being pushed by her opponent. I suspect Iva Jovic would have potentially beaten both Gauff and Svitolina such was the contrast in standards across the first two quarter finals. Nonetheless Aryna Sabalenka has nothing to concern herself with. If she continues to play her level she will make the final with ease:) 

DTM recommends

A.Sabalenka to beat E.Svitolina

E.Rybakina v J.Pegula - a 3 set outcome 

Final

Well the edgy second set that Rybakina finally won to get through to the final didn’t instil huge confidence in her ability to close out the title. Her +2 ratio of winners to UFE was also inferior to Sabalenka’s+14. Elena can win because the match up with Sabalenka will suit her. She is the underdog, can play with freedom and hopefully serve with freedom. Aryna Sabalenka does not always find it easy to play her best in the final. Her semi final was impressive but I would be surprised if she played to the same high standard in the final. If Elena Rybakina starts well she can win but it will only happen if she plays well. Starting with her serve. This has to put pressure on Sabalenka in a similar fashion to the WTA finals. DTM advised Elena Rybakina each way at a generous 10/1 a week or so before the event started.  This has already paid out a +4 points profit so another 10 points profit would be amazing. Sit back and enjoy the final - it should be a cracker !

DTM recommends

No investment 

The top 6 seeds have all made it through to the quarter finals, alongside the rising star to be, Iva Jovic and the number 12 seed Elina Svitolina. The best players are moving into a separate bracket. They are producing tennis which is hard to get passed if you are one of the pack. There are a number of reasons  for this which DTM highligh

The top 6 seeds have all made it through to the quarter finals, alongside the rising star to be, Iva Jovic and the number 12 seed Elina Svitolina. The best players are moving into a separate bracket. They are producing tennis which is hard to get passed if you are one of the pack. There are a number of reasons  for this which DTM highlighted last year in one of his blogs. The top half looks like a procession for Aryna Sabalenka. Her remaining opponents have not got the complete games to challenge her assuming she remains fit and focused. Iva Jovic will surely enjoy the occasion but struggle to adjust fully to cope with the world #1. Svitolina in theory can beat Gauff. She will need her level to be sustained throughout the match and hope the Gauff that has made lots of unforced errors turns up. But this is where a shock might happen. Jessica Pegula played better than many reported at the US Open. She played an amazing level in losing to Sabalenka in 3 sets at that event. Anisimova got the plaudits for her run to the final but DTM believes Pegula's level was as good if not better. She has a good H2H record over Anisimova and based on this event so far looks far more solid. Yes Amanda Anisimova could play lights out and blast her winners to victory. But the stats suggest otherwise. Pegula is the player to back for her consistency and sustained high level. Plus she is playing as the underdog which is an advantage as Anisimova now plays with much more expectation?

The other big match up is between Swiatek and Rybakina. Again a match that very much depends on momentum and the player's serve. Elena Rybakina wins this match if she serves close to 70% first serves and she plays the ball rather than the player. 

DTM recommends

A.Sabalenka to beat I.Jovic

J.Pegula to beat A.Anisimova 

E.Rybakina to beat I.Swiatek

The middle Sunday sees the start off the last 16. This is really when the tournament starts in terms of discovering who is most likely to win the first slam of the year:) Aryna Sabalenka looked far from invincible in her labouring win over Potapova. Mboko is a serious opponent and it will be interesting to see how it unfolds if Mboko cope

The middle Sunday sees the start off the last 16. This is really when the tournament starts in terms of discovering who is most likely to win the first slam of the year:) Aryna Sabalenka looked far from invincible in her labouring win over Potapova. Mboko is a serious opponent and it will be interesting to see how it unfolds if Mboko copes with the occasion. Yesterday also saw how influential the heat and conditions can be. Playing in the daytime will not be ideal for either player although they might avoid the hottest part of the day. Coco Gauff will play in the heat against Muchova which will probably favour her more. Amanda Anisimova continues to look good and is the most certain to make it through to the last 8. DTM expects Iva Jovic will also account for Putitnseva. Iga Swiatek will beat Inglis. The other matches look very close on paper but that doesn't always mean a 3 set outcome. Mirra Andreeva and Elena Rybakina will be favourites to progress but both Svitolina and Mertens have nothing to lose so will be dangerous. Finally Madison Keys playing Jessica Pegula is a match of close friends so anything can happen ? Watch these matches with a close eye as the clues will be there :) But no need to invest as the last 8 is when DTM expects to take advantage of some better opportunities:) 

DTM recommends

A.Anisimova to beat X.Wang

I.Jovic to beat Y.Putintseva

J.Pegula to beat M.Keys

The final match ups of the third round takes place on the middle Saturday in Melbourne. Iga Swiatek v Anna Kalinskaya could be a classic assuming both players play near their best. Kalinskaya took a 5-1 lead in the opening set the last time they played in the US Open last season. Kalinskaya has the returns to punish Swiatek so assuming sh

The final match ups of the third round takes place on the middle Saturday in Melbourne. Iga Swiatek v Anna Kalinskaya could be a classic assuming both players play near their best. Kalinskaya took a 5-1 lead in the opening set the last time they played in the US Open last season. Kalinskaya has the returns to punish Swiatek so assuming she can sustain a high level then a 3 set outcome is very possible. 

DTM recommends

E.Rybakina to beat T.Valentova

E.Mertens to beat N.Bartunkova

Świątek v Kalinskaya - 3 set outcome

DTM is 12 out of 14 correct predictions so far across the main draw at the Australian Open. His two defeats were both in 3 set matches. Friday sees the start of the last 32. The third round is the first time higher ranked seeds come up against the potential of other seeded players. This provides for some serious tennis and some serious te

DTM is 12 out of 14 correct predictions so far across the main draw at the Australian Open. His two defeats were both in 3 set matches. Friday sees the start of the last 32. The third round is the first time higher ranked seeds come up against the potential of other seeded players. This provides for some serious tennis and some serious tension :) 

Iva Jovic will be fancied by many to overcome Jasmine Paolini. But DTM is not so sure. The Italian is hardened to this stage of a grand slam and she will not be letting the youngster have it all her own way. Jasmine Paolini is a lot better than Cocciaretto who Jovic lost to last week so go with the experienced Italian to win here:) 

Aryna Sabalenka will obviously beat A.Potapova but this might be quite quick given the form of the Austrian. Her game was patchy at best against Raducanu. A 6-1 or even 6-0 set score would not surprise DTM especially in the second set ? Given Clara Tauson's form and game style, Mboko looks the more likely winner in this one:) 

DTM recommends

J.Paolini to beat I.Jovic

A.Sabalenka to beat A.Potapova

V.Mboko to beat C.Tauson

DTM had a perfect day overnight with all 6 of his picks being correct. Most were expected but with Magda Linette winning his overall position for 2026 is looking much better. Round 2 concludes on Thursday and DTM is looking to continue his good form :) 

Amanda Anisimova is a good option to beat Katerina Siniakova on  her favoured surface. 

DTM had a perfect day overnight with all 6 of his picks being correct. Most were expected but with Magda Linette winning his overall position for 2026 is looking much better. Round 2 concludes on Thursday and DTM is looking to continue his good form :) 

Amanda Anisimova is a good option to beat Katerina Siniakova on  her favoured surface. Even at 2/7 that price is value given all the qualities of both players. Anisimova is simply too good assuming she turns up healthy:)

Belinda Bencic looks good to reach at least her seeded position and will take care of the qualifier. Naomi Osaka looked very determined in winning her first round. Ruzic played well and it took a lot of guts and will to win to come through that match. This is a good indication Osaka is on it which is not always the case. She clearly wants to have a few big matches where she can showcase her fashion as well as her tennis. Cirstea is a worthy opponent but if Osaka turns up with her weapons firing at least 70% of the time then she will win:) 

DTM recommends

A.Anisimova to beat K.Siniakova

N.Osaka to beat S.Cirstea

No sooner had I mentioned a positive start at the Australian Open the demons returned to haunt me. Eva Lys started well and was 6-3 & 3-1 up against Cirstea only for her to lose her way, fail to take several more break points at the end of set 2 and ultimately get beaten by a very determined Cirstea! Somehow Cocciaretto also managed to lo

No sooner had I mentioned a positive start at the Australian Open the demons returned to haunt me. Eva Lys started well and was 6-3 & 3-1 up against Cirstea only for her to lose her way, fail to take several more break points at the end of set 2 and ultimately get beaten by a very determined Cirstea! Somehow Cocciaretto also managed to lose a close 3 setter to give DTM more than a shock to the system ! Hopefully Wednesday will return to normal where DTM expects experience to count. Elina Svitolina will look to continue her decent form by beating the Pole.  Vicky Mboko should have too many weapons for Caty McNally as should Diana Shnaider for the local Aussie, Gibson:) 

DTM recommends

E.Svitolkina to beat L.Klimovicova

V.Mboko to beat C.McNally

D.Shnaider to beat T.Gibson

J.Paolini to beat M.Frech 

M.Linette to beat A.Li

M.Andreeva to beat M.Sakkari

It's good to be back in Melbourne Park where DTM's finest 2025 prediction came to fruition with Madison Keys winning her first slam. After two days DTM's predictions have all gone the right way so the signs for another great tournament look good:) E.Cocciaretto has just won in Hobart which should mean she is riding a crest of a wave. She 

It's good to be back in Melbourne Park where DTM's finest 2025 prediction came to fruition with Madison Keys winning her first slam. After two days DTM's predictions have all gone the right way so the signs for another great tournament look good:) E.Cocciaretto has just won in Hobart which should mean she is riding a crest of a wave. She should account for Julia Grabher :

Other first round winners should be Ashlyn Krueger and of the outsiders Maya Joint to beat Valentova is worthy of consideration.

In Round 2 DTM recommends you back Peyton Stearns to beat Petra Marcinko after her impressive victory over Sofia Kenin.

DTM recommends

E.Cocciaretto to be J.Grabher

Ashlyn Krueger to beat Sara Bejlek

Round 2 

P.Stearns to beat P.Marcinko

The headline recommendation for the first round of the Australian Open is to back Eva Lys to beat S.Cirstea. Eva Lys was in great form recently in pushing Iga Swiatek to 6-4 in the final set at the United Cup. She has a formidable baseline game and will threaten Cirstea's service games continually. Her serve is her only limitating factor 

The headline recommendation for the first round of the Australian Open is to back Eva Lys to beat S.Cirstea. Eva Lys was in great form recently in pushing Iga Swiatek to 6-4 in the final set at the United Cup. She has a formidable baseline game and will threaten Cirstea's service games continually. Her serve is her only limitating factor at present but against Cirstea this should not prove critical. Cirstea also has a poor second serve so basically their serves cancel each other out. The other notable factor is the form of both players in Australia. Eva Lys loves Melbourne and reached the 4th round last year. Cirstea has lost in the first round the past 3 years. DTM expects that unwanted run to continue. Age is also a significant factor with Lys approaching her peak whereas Cirstea is 35 years young. 

Other first round matches that DTM considers the outcome is secure are listed below :) 

DTM recommends

E.Lys to beat S.Cirstea

M.Andreeva to beat D.Vekic

E.Rybakina to beat K.Juvan

I.Jovic to beat K.Volynets

V.Mboko to beat E.Jones

M.Kessler to beat E.Arango

DTM expects the big players to come to the fore in the first slam of the season. Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina are the obvious starting points. They have now been drawn in opposite halves which is a good thing for the tournament. If both players play to their best then they will reach the final. This means serving well and staying aggre

DTM expects the big players to come to the fore in the first slam of the season. Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina are the obvious starting points. They have now been drawn in opposite halves which is a good thing for the tournament. If both players play to their best then they will reach the final. This means serving well and staying aggressive on returns. Outside of these two DTM can only see Amanda Anisimova, Mirra Andreeva and possibly Iga Swiatek having the pedigree to last the course of seven matches at the required level. However when push comes to shove, their serves are not as good and this should prove the difference in the heat of Melbourne Park. The only outsiders to really consider are Victoria Mboko and Marta Kostyuk. Both of these players could upset one top player on their day but are unlikely to beat 2 or 3 in a row. 

DTM believes that Iga Swiatek has not got  the second serve to challenge for the title. She may get to the quarter finals but to then beat Rybakina, Anisimova/Pegula and Sabalenka is extremely unlikely. A few shocks would need to happen for her to win in Australia. Mirra Andreeva does have the game to beat the top players but DTM still has concerns over her serve and temperament when the pressure is on. If she wins in Adelaide then a semi final in Melbourne is well within reach but again Sabalenka should prove too strong. Coco Gauff is struggling with her serve and therefore will do well to reach the latter stages let alone win the title. Jasmine Paolini is another top 8 seed to avoid. 

DTM recommends

Aryna v Elena in the final with a repeat outcome to Riyadh - Elena Rybakina to win the Australian Open (already advised each way at 10/1)

Mirra Andreeva to win her quarter 13/5