Sabalenka leads 2026 US Open odds as Gauff tipped for value
Two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka is the market favourite, but SportsLine expert Jose Onorato has identified Coco Gauff as the best value bet for the tournament commencing in New York.
The 2026 US Open women’s draw commences on 30 August at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York, with betting markets placing two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka as the clear favourite. Sabalenka is priced at +340, reflecting her status as a hard-court specialist and her recent dominance at the tournament.
The field features significant competition from other Grand Slam champions, including Iga Swiatek and American Coco Gauff. Swiatek, who recently claimed the National Bank Open title in Toronto, is the second favourite at +480, while Gauff follows closely behind at +500. Other notable contenders in the market include Naomi Osaka at +1000, and Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula, and Mirra Andreeva all listed at +1400.
SportsLine tennis handicapper Jose Onorato has released his predictions for the event, selecting Gauff as his primary best bet at +600. Onorato, who has a record of 168-106-8 on his best bets since 2022, argues that the current odds do not fully account for Gauff’s home advantage and recent form.
“Gauff is the home favourite and the value play in the middle of the board,” Onorato stated. He noted that Gauff’s defensive game and movement suit the New York courts, and that the support of the local crowd could elevate her performance. Onorato suggested that the +600 price reflects doubt about her serve more than her overall ceiling, presenting a gap worth exploiting for bettors.
The expert highlighted Gauff’s 2023 US Open victory and her 2025 French Open title as evidence of her capability to win on this surface. He described the scenario of a former champion competing in her home Slam as one that typically lifts a player’s level, making the current pricing an attractive proposition.
Onorato’s track record includes correctly predicting winners at recent major tournaments, such as Jannik Sinner at the 2025 Australian Open and Wimbledon, and Carlos Alcaraz at the 2025 French Open. His analysis for the 2026 US Open is available through SportsLine, where he also identified another player as undervalued on hard court.
