Australian Open 2012 Results: 3 Things We Learned from Week 1

It's been an interesting and eventful first week at the 2012 Australian Open, to say the least. The vast majority of the big names and fan favorites are still alive, their sights set on a spot on the championship podium at Melbourne Park.

But what have we learned so far as we head into the final rounds of the first Grand Slam event of the year?

No Stopping Novak

For one, we've learned that Novak Djokovic isn't about to rest on his laurels. Apparently, a 70-6 mark and three Grand Slam titles in 2011 weren't enough to quench The Djoker's insatiable appetite for victory...and center-court grass.

Djokovic has been nothing short of unstoppable Down Under thus far, advancing to the fourth round without so much as conceding more than three games in a given set. At this pace, Djokovic is practically a lock to nail down the third Aussie Open title of his career.

Age is Just a Number

Assuming, of course, he can sneak (or slam) his way past the other two legs of the "Trivalry." Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer have secured their spots in the quarterfinals without dropping a single set between them.

This, despite nagging injuries for both and Father Time having supposedly caught up to the latter.

FedEx has looked nearly as good as ever at Melbourne Park, even at the over-the-hill age of 30.

On the women's side, Kim Clijsters and Serena Williams have approached their own calendars with blissful ignorance. The 28-year-old Clijsters is back into the quarters after pulling off the "upset" against fifth-seeded Li Na, even though the Belgian is the defending women's champ at the Aussie. Meanwhile, Williams, at age 30, has yet to lose a set.

So much for youth overruling experience.

Not So Proud to Be an American

It's a particularly good thing that Serena is still standing. Otherwise, the U.S. would be without a single representative at Melbourne Park with a full week of singles matches left to go.

No American male made it past the third round. Andy Roddick was forced to retire in the second round on account of injury. Mardy Fish, Roddick's buddy and last year's Great Red-White-and-Blue Hope, was also forced out in the second round...by Alejandro Falla.

And John Isner, all 6'9" of him, could hardly handle Feliciano Lopez in the third.

As such, it'll once again be up to a Williams sister to restore the sporting honor of a once-proud nation of racketeers.

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