Elena Rybakina is through to her second Grand Slam final since winning the 2022 Wimbledon Championships. Standing in her way of a triumph Down Under is Aryna Sabalenka, who is seeking her maiden crown at a major.
Who will win this fascinating showdown between the statuesque, power-playing, big-serving women? Will it be the No. 1 Kazakh’s second foray into the winner’s circle? Or will it be the Belarusian’s time for glory?
The tennis betting market is delicately poised between this pair. Rybakina, somewhat surprisingly, enters as the +120 underdog (bet $100 to win $120). Sabalenka, in the meantime, is tipped as the slight favorite at -140 (bet $140 to win $100).
Elsewhere on the tennis odds board powered by BetUS sportsbook, the games handicap is set to 1½ and the total is set to 22½ with both the over and under juiced to -110, respectively.
Where are the best bets to be had? On the moneyline? Games handicap? Or total? Find out as we weigh in on this Australian Open final match between Rybakina vs Sabalenka, examine the latest tennis odds, key storylines and serve up choice tennis picks for your consideration.
Let’s check the latest Tennis news, stats, injury reports, and Tennis lines for Rybakina vs Sabalenka in Australian Open Final. We’ve got plenty of Tennis picks for you to consider.
Australian Open Women’s Final: Rybakina vs Sabalenka Odds
- Games Handicap: Sabalenka -1½ (-110)
- Moneyline: Rybakina ML +120 | Sabalenka ML -140
- Games Total: O 22 ½ (-110) | U 22 ½ (-110)
Rybakina: Value Underdog
Rybakina dismantled two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka in the semifinals, beating her 33-year-old counterpart in straight sets, 7-6 (4), 6-3.
The Kazakh didn’t have the easiest of paths to the ultimate round Down Under, but she rose to the challenge admirably, taking out higher-ranked players along the way.
Rybakina overcame last year’s runner-up, Danielle Collins, in the third round in the three sets, 6-2, 7-5, 6-2 and followed it up with an inspired 6-4, 6-4 win over world No. 1 and tournament favorite Iga Swiatek in the R16. She then took out No. 17 seed Jelena Ostapenko 6-2, 6-4 in the quarterfinals.
RELENTLESS ✊
Elena Rybakina defeats a third former major champion in a row to reach her second career Slam final!#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/cIcesSqOhz
— wta (@WTA) January 26, 2023
Sabalenka the Favorite
World No. 5 Sabalenka started the tournament as the second overall favorite, but following Swiatek’s untimely exit (thanks to Rybakina), the Belarusian took a step forward in betting online markets. And she’s lived up to expectations by reaching her first-ever Grand Slam final.
The 24-year-old Belarusian dismissed surprise challenger Magda Linette, 7-6 (1), 6-2 in the semis. The straight-sets win marked her sixth at the Australian Open and 10th overall since starting the season by winning the title in Adelaide.
The highest seed Sabalenka faced up to this point was Belinda Bencic in the R16, and the only other seeded threat was No. 26 Elise Mertens in the third round.
– Question: Your average forehand speed is up there with some of the men, how does it feel on court?
– Aryna Sabalenka: To be honest, I actually think that I hit really slow balls today.— Tennis Majors (@Tennis_Majors) January 26, 2023
Rybakina vs Sabalenka Head-to-Head
Sabalenka has the commanding 3-0 head-to-head edge over Rybakina, which includes a 2-0 record in 2021. However, all three matches were three-setters.
Sabalenka defeated Rybakina 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 in the R16 of the 2021 Wimbledon Championships. Earlier that year, she beat the 23-year-old Kazakh 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 in the quarterfinals of Abu Dhabi.
Their first-ever meeting came in 2019 at Wuhan, where Sabalenka took the 6-3, 1-6, 6-1 win in the quarterfinals.
Rybakina vs Sabalenka Prediction
Rybakina ranks lower than her finals opponent Sabalenka. She’s also lost three on the trot against the highly-fancied Belarusian. However, considering how she reached the finale at Melbourne Park, it would be gross negligence to dismiss her chances to win the title.
One intangible advantage that Rybakina has over Sabalenka is experience from winning the title at the All England Club – arguably, the most prestigious Grand Slam event. That will stand her in good stead against the Belarusian, who is looking for her maiden major title
It is also worth noting that Sabalenka hasn’t played Rybakina since 2021. The Kazakh has come leaps and bounds since then. She’s a more confident and assured player, and one that is better equipped today at handling the pressure of the occasion.
All told, this is a coin toss for tennis picks. These are two eminently deserving players and nobody will be surprised whether one or the other wins. It’s literally that close between them.
Push comes to shove, Rybakina as the nominal +140 underdog strikes an attractive pose. However, for those on the fence, backing the total might be the better option. All three of their past meetings were three-set affairs.
The odds and predictions in the article are based on the time of writing and publication. They may differ as to when the actual event takes place.
