Elina Svitolina (Photo Courtesy of TNT)
The 2026 Australian Open has reached a fever pitch. As of January 27, 2026, the field has narrowed significantly following a day of high-stakes drama and “giant-slaying” at Melbourne Park. With the defending champion out and the World No. 1 looking unstoppable, here is the latest on the Women’s Singles Championship.
The quarter-finals kicked off with a mix of clinical precision and emotional upsets.
* Aryna Sabalenka’s Path to Glory: The World No. 1 and top seed continued her ruthless run, dismantling 18-year-old American sensation Iva Jovic 6-3, 6-0. Sabalenka has yet to drop a set this tournament and is the heavy favorite to claim her third Australian Open title.
* Coco Gauff’s Shock Exit: In a result that rocked the tournament, 12th seed Elina Svitolina defeated the 3rd-seeded Gauff in straight sets (6-1, 6-2). The loss was particularly emotional for Gauff, who was seen smashing her racket in the tunnel after the match.
* The Defending Champion Falls: Yesterday, Jessica Pegula ended Madison Keys’ title defense in the fourth round. Pegula’s “tidy and polished” performance has set her up as a major threat in the bottom half of the draw.
Iga Swiatek
Who is the Favorite to Win?
With only a handful of players remaining, the oddsmakers and analysts have narrowed their gaze:
* Aryna Sabalenka (The Heavy Favorite): Following Gauff’s exit, Sabalenka’s probability of winning has soared. Her power on the Melbourne hard courts is currently unmatched.
* Iga Swiatek: The world No. 2 remains a massive threat as she seeks to complete her career Grand Slam. She faces a massive test in her upcoming quarter-final.
* Elina Svitolina: Entering the semi-finals on a 10-match winning streak (including an Auckland title), Svitolina is playing the best tennis of her “post-maternity” career and is the dark horse to go all the way.
The Schedule: What’s Next?
The semi-final bracket is nearly set, but two blockbuster quarter-finals remain for Wednesday, January 28.
Upcoming Quarter-Finals (Jan 28)
Iga Swiatek vs. Elena Rybakina | (2) vs. (5) | Rod Laver Arena (Day)
Jessica Pegula vs. Amanda Anisimova | (6) vs. (4) | Rod Laver Arena (Day)
The Semi-Finals
* Semi-Final 1: Aryna Sabalenka (1) vs. Elina Svitolina (12)
Scheduled for Thursday, January 29.
* Semi-Final 2: Winner of Swiatek/Rybakina vs. Winner of Pegula/Anisimova.
Amanda Anisimova
Key Highlights to Watch For
* The Power Battle: Keep an eye on the Swiatek vs. Rybakina match. Rybakina is one of the few players with the serve and baseline power to consistently trouble Swiatek on fast hard courts.
* The “Motherhood” Story: Elina Svitolina’s return to the Top 10 and her run to the semi-finals is the emotional heart of the tournament. Can she stop the Sabalenka juggernaut?
* The American Hopes: With Gauff and Keys out, the weight of American expectations now falls on Jessica Pegula and Amanda Anisimova.
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Viorica Bruni Editor Athletica Sports Web Publication
