{"id":393801,"date":"2026-01-28T16:05:49","date_gmt":"2026-01-28T21:05:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cms.northstargaming.ca\/admin\/nsgcms\/?p=393801"},"modified":"2026-01-30T10:24:53","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T15:24:53","slug":"australian-open-semifinal-picks-and-predictions-2026-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cms.northstargaming.ca\/admin\/nsgcms\/australian-open-semifinal-picks-and-predictions-2026-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Australian Open semifinal picks: Best bets for Sinner vs. Djokovic, Alcaraz vs. Zverev, Pegula vs. Rybakina"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Australian Open semifinals are set, with the four top seeds participating in the men’s draw.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pregame narrative:<\/strong> Carlos Alcaraz can complete the career Grand Slam with a win in Melbourne, but he’ll need to get past Alexander Zverev to reach the final. That would likely set up another meeting with Jannik Sinner, who is a massive favourite over 10-time Australian Open champ, Novak Djokovic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out my top Australian Open semifinal picks, featuring a pick on Jessica Pegula vs. Elena Rybakina. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

-> Join NorthStar Bets & bet on the Australian Open<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Australian Open semifinal picks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Best bet: Djokovic +2.5 sets (+115)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Djokovic had luck on his side in the quarterfinal, when a leg injury forced Lorenzo Musetti to retire up two sets to none. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Italian was down in the third set, but Djokovic’s chances were cooked \u2014 even he agreed: “I don’t know what to say except that I feel really sorry for him. He was the far better player. I was on my way home tonight.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I think the Serbian can parlay that good fortune into a semi-competitive matchup against Sinner. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

-> Check out the semifinal Australian Open schedule<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Djokovic didn’t have to play his fourth-round matchup, either, after Jakub Mensik withdrew with an abdominal injury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That means the 24-time Grand Slam winner will be fresh against the ATP No. 2-ranked Italian. The extra rest should help bridge the 14-year age gap between the two greats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sinner has demolished everyone at this tournament, dropping just one set en route to the semis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But Djokovic has been competitive in this matchup on hard courts recently, and I believe the veteran can find a way to win a set against his new rival. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key stat:<\/strong> The Serbian has won at least one set in four of his last five hard-court matches against Sinner. That includes pushing the Italian to four sets at the Australian Open in 2024. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Top Alcaraz vs. Zverev Australian Open prediction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Zverev +6 games (-125):<\/strong> Is fading Alcaraz and<\/em> Sinner a good idea? Time will tell, but I like the value on Zverev in this matchup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The German is 6-6 against Alcaraz, and his most recent loss at the Cincinnati Open should be marked with an asterisk. Zverev could hardly move and fought through the injury in a 6-4, 6-3 loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

-> Don’t miss out \u2014 place your bets for today’s Australian Open matches!<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They are 2-2 against each other in Grand Slams, with Zverev going 2-1-1 against this line. That includes a win over Alcaraz at the Australian Open in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The biggest knock on Zverev is his mental game. The world No. 3 is as talented as they come, but he has never won a Grand Slam despite reaching three finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I don’t think he can stop another Sinner vs. Alcaraz showdown, but I expect Zverev to put up a good fight if he can keep rolling on his service games. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zverev hit 74% of his first serves in the quarterfinal with 24 aces to one double fault. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Australian Open pick: Pegula vs. Rybakina best bet<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Rybakina -1.5 sets (+105):<\/strong> I’ve backed Rybakina in consecutive matches, and she’s delivered. There’s no reason for me to get off this train now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Kazakhstani has won all five of her matches at this tournament in straight sets. Her most recent, a 7-5, 6-1 victory over Iga Swiatek, was quite a statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n