Preview: Aryna Sabalenka vs Taylor Townsend prediction, betting tips & odds, head-to-head | US Open 2026
Aryna Sabalenka is yet to drop a set so far in New York
Aryna Sabalenka registered her fourth win over Kamilla Rakhimova, beating her 6-3, 6-4 to advance to the final 16 at the 2026 US Open. While the scoreline suggests complete domination, the Belarusian was made to work hard at times, and she responded with firepower and accuracy.
Coming into the match, Sabalenkaâs serve was a matter of worry. However, she erased all doubts with a splendid 76% success rate on first serves. The World No. 1 did not face a single break, and nailed 10 aces and 29 winners on her path to triumph.
Looking to complete a rare three-peat in New York, Sabalenka has gotten off to an excellent start. She will now face Taylor Townsend in the fourth round, which means she avoids a top-50 player until the quarter-finals.
Match details
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- Tournament: US Open 2026
- Round: Round 4
- Date: September 6
- Venue: USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, New York
- Surface: Hard Court
Preview
Sabalenkaâs generous draw continues to open up, making her future rounds relatively easier than it seemed at first. She is set to take on Townsend at Arthur Ashe Stadium, marking the pairâs first-ever meeting.
The American has matched her last yearâs performance in Flushing Meadows, levelling her best record at a Major event. Townsend has already stunned two seeded players in this competition, with Diana Shnaider being the latest casualty.
Townsend is the doubles World No. 2, but has often produced remarkable campaigns in the singles division as well. At Wimbledon, she took a set off Iga Swiatek, and revealed that she was âfâing pumpedâ after her win over Shnaider in the third round.
Having said that, for the American to trouble Sabalenka, she will have to be mindful of her second serve, which has enjoyed a success rate of only 53% in the third round. The first serve will be her ace weapon, which incredibly achieved a 100% success rate in her second-round clash against Taylah Preston.
Form
- Aryna Sabalenka: W-W-W-L-W
- Taylor Townsend: W-W-W-L-W
Head-to-head record
- Matches: 0
- Aryna Sabalenka: 0
- Taylor Townsend: 0
Stats
Aryna Sabalenka
- Sabalenka has a 43-8 win-loss record in the 2026 season
- Sabalenka has a 37-6 win-loss record at the US Open
- Sabalenka has won 75% of matches played on hard courts
Taylor Townsend
- Townsend has a 21-12 win-loss record in the 2026 season
- Townsend has a 13-10 win-loss record at the US Open
- Townsend has won 62% of matches played on hard courts
Aryna Sabalenka vs Taylor Townsend: Betting tips and odds
- Moneyline: Sabalenka -1500, Townsend +800
- Spread: Sabalenka -5.5 (-115), Townsend +5.5 (-115)
- Total Games: Over 20.5 (-115), Under 20.5 (-115)
Match prediction
Aryna Sabalenka will be taking on Taylor Townsend, and the entire crowd is certain to be rooting for their American hope. The Belarusian will hope to continue from where she left off in the third round, and serve well to avoid a third set.
Townsend will look to use her angles and creativity to force the top seed into making unforced errors. A key start is necessary against Sabalenka, or she is seen to run away with the match against lower ranked opponents. If Townsend can start well and find the lines precisely, she could potentially succeed in taking a set off Sabalenka.
Result: Aryna Sabalenka to win in three sets.
Where and how to watch live telecast and live streaming of Aryna Sabalenka vs Taylor Townsend, fourth-round match at US Open 2026?
Indian viewers can watch the Round of 16 clash between Aryna Sabalenka and Taylor Townsend on the Star Sports network and stream the match live on JioHotstar.
In the UK, fans can watch the match live on Sky Sports Tennis and Sky Sports+, or stream it through a NOW Sports Pass. In the USA, viewers can follow the action on ESPN and ESPN+, while live TV streaming services carrying ESPN, including Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV (Orange Plan), and YouTube TV, also provide access.
Where and when will Aryna Sabalenka vs Taylor Townsend fourth-round match take place at US Open 2026?
The round of 16 clash between Sabalenka and local favourite Townsend will be played at the Arthur Ashe Stadium on September 6 (Sunday). The match is scheduled to begin at 11:30 am local time (9 pm IST).
Has Aryna Sabalenka and Taylor Townsend met before on tour?
No, this is set to be their first-ever meeting on tour.
Who is the favourite to win the round of 16 clash between Aryna Sabalenka and Taylor Townsend?
Aryna Sabalenka will be taking on Taylor Townsend, and the entire crowd is certain to be rooting for their American hope. The Belarusian will hope to continue from where she left off in the third round, and serve well to avoid a third set. Townsend will look to use her angles and creativity to force the top seed into making unforced errors. A key start is necessary against Sabalenka, or she is seen to run away with the match against lower ranked opponents. If Townsend can start well and find the lines precisely, she could potentially succeed in taking a set off Sabalenka.
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