The 2026 Australian Open men’s semi-final begins Thursday night at 10:30pm ET, with Carlos Alcaraz taking on Alexander Zverev. Alcaraz had never advanced beyond the quarterfinals in his previous four visits, but reached the semifinals without dropping a set. He has won 36 of the last 37 Grand Slam sets and is the -700 favorite to win Thursday night against Zverev. SportsLine tennis expert Jose Onorato has the over (35.5) on the match and also reveals his best Australian Open bet for Novak Djokovic vs. Jannik Sinner.
Sinner is the defending champion and Djokovic is the 10-time winner in a blockbuster showdown scheduled for Friday at 3:30 a.m. ET. Before finalizing your Australian Open favorites for the first Grand Slam of the season, be sure to check out Onorato’s top tennis betting picks.
New users can target something completely new draft king promo codeprovide $300 in bonus bets if your first $5 bet wins:
Onorato posted his best bet since 2022 at 168-106-8 (+107.12 units). He correctly called Jannik Sinner (+160) at the 2025 Australian Open, Carlos Alcaraz (+130) at the 2025 French Open, and Sinner (+180) again at 2025 Wimbledon. He also called Coco Gauff (+700) for the 2025 French Open and Iga Swiatek (+1200) for the 2025 Wimbledon. Anyone who followed his tennis betting choices at sportsbooks and betting sites could have made big profits.
New users can also target BetMGM bonus codes. Up to $1,500 bonus bet if your first bet loses:
Best bets for Australian Open men’s semi-finals:
- Alcaraz vs. Zverev over 35.5 games (-122)
- Sinner vs. Djokovic -2.5 sets (-130)
Alcaraz vs. Zverev over 35.5 games (-122)
“Alcaraz has looked at a higher level than most of the field the last two weeks, but Zverev’s serve and experience will allow him to remain competitive over long distances,” Onorato said. “Carlos’s speed and ability to turn defense into offense makes him a more dangerous player overall, but Zverev’s ability to defend his serve and hang early in the set is what makes this match so long. Long service games, the possibility of a tie-break, or a potential four-set battle are all at play here. Even if Alcaraz is pulling away late, Zverev can play well enough to beat this total early on.”
New users can earn a $200 bonus bet when they win their most recent $5 bet. FanDuel Promo Code. You can claim your offer here:
Sinner vs. Djokovic -2.5 sets (-130)
“Mr. Sinner has been in complete control of this rivalry, winning his last five meetings and posting convincing victories, including three in a row,” Onorato said. “His level in Melbourne was perfect once again. He is a two-time defending champion, on a 20-game winning streak at the Australian Open, and has not dropped a set this tournament. Sinner commanded from the baseline with depth and pace, consistently taking time away from his opponents and forcing mistakes early in rallies.”
“Djokovic, on the other hand, didn’t look like the physical force we’re used to seeing in Melbourne. His progress to the semi-finals was helped by Musetti’s retirement, but even before that there were cracks in his movement and consistency, especially in long exchanges. Those margins are important against Sinner. ‘s improved serve, elite return, and ability to absorb pace and change direction will neutralize Djokovic’s strengths and force him into a defensive position.This matchup is very favorable for Sinner to control the match from the beginning, as it is a level we have yet to see unless Djokovic finds favorable conditions.
New users can win the latest bet and their first bet worth up to $250. caesars promo code. you can Claim your offer here:
Want to know more about the Australian Open picks?
We’ve looked at Onorato’s best bets for the 2026 Australian Open men’s semi-finals. Visit our exclusive SportsLine Discord now where Onorato and Blake Von Hagen (+60.3u in 2025) share their best daily tennis bets and analysis. Click here to join SportsLine and link your account to Discord.
