The world number 1 Aryna Sabalenka is in action at the US Open Monday morning against one of the remaining home hopes. Can Sabalenka keep her quest for another US Open title alive? Check out Ace's preview and best bet below!
2026 US Open Betting Tips - Sabalenka vs Townsend
Approx Monday 1:30am AEST
I thought this was a matchup that was perhaps worthy of the night session, however it is Aryna Sabalenka and Taylor Townsend first up on court as they battle for a place in the US Open Quarter Finals.
As far as runs to the fourth round of a grand slam go, Sabalenka has had one of the more charmed runs in recent memory. And to be honest, she probably needed it after the last couple of months of tennis. Her tennis itself has still been better than most on the tour, but the losses to Bejlek and Alexandrova in particular are ones you could class as uncharacteristic based on what we have come to expect from the world number 1. If Sabalenka can get to the front and hold a lead, she can be tough to hold out. However, if you can drag her time on court out a little, perhaps to a 3rd set, I think you become a very live chance in her current form.
Taylor Townsend has put together a pretty impressive North American swing, with her only losses coming to Bencic in a tight three set match, and Rybakina. The third round win the other day against Diana Shnaider, where she won 6-2 6-7 6-3, was one of her stronger performances as well, both in general level and her response after dropping the second set in a tiebreak. Townsend is a high confidence player, and isn't afraid to be assertive and come into the net and take time away from her opponent.
Townsend and the crowd are going to be an interesting test for Sabalenka. Rather than invest a larger staking across Townsend to win, or win a set, or the game handicap, I’d rather place a smaller staking just on Townsend to win the match outright. Her style of play and ability to come into the net and rush Sabalenka for time are what appeals here.
Townsend to defeat Sabalenka
$5.60 (1.5 Units)
