MELBOURNE — The first week of the Australian Open tends to separate intention from readiness. By the time the draw settles into its second week, the question is no longer who arrived in form, but who is willing to stay patient when conditions, opponents, and expectations begin to press.

Through seven days at Melbourne Park, that process played out across both draws. The favorites largely held their ground, though not without resistance, while a handful of younger players forced their way into the conversation with performances difficult to ignore.

At the top of the men’s draw, Carlos Alcaraz moved through the opening rounds with a growing sense of control. The world No. 1 dropped a set early but never appeared unsettled, closing out his first week with a straight-sets win over Tommy Paul to reach the quarterfinals. Alcaraz managed his matches well, mixing patience with timely aggression and conserving energy as the tournament went on.

(P. Lahalle/L'Équipe)

Further down the draw, Novak Djokovic continued his familiar routine in Melbourne. The 10-time champion advanced into the round of 16 with a straight-sets win over Botic van de Zandschulp, adding another milestone to his resume with his 400th career Grand Slam singles match. It was not a statement performance, but it did not need to be. Djokovic has long treated the first week here as a process rather than a showcase.

The sharpest turn of the tournament came when Learner Tien dismantled Daniil Medvedev in straight sets. The American teenager played freely from the start, redirecting pace and finishing points decisively, while Medvedev struggled to establish any sustained control. The result marked Tien’s first trip to a Grand Slam quarterfinal and stood as one of the week’s defining outcomes.

On the women’s side, Aryna Sabalenka showed why she remains the defending champion. Sabalenka moved into the quarterfinals with a composed win over Victoria Mboko, handling the 19-year-old’s early shot-making before imposing her own rhythm. The power was there, as expected, but so was the restraint.

A breakout week belonged to Iva Jovic. The 18-year-old American reached her first major quarterfinal with a 6-0, 6-1 win over Yulia Putintseva, a performance that unfolded quickly and without hesitation. Jovic stayed aggressive without forcing the issue, playing the kind of match that suggests comfort rather than surprise.

The conditions were a constant presence. Heat interruptions, late finishes, and physical matches shaped schedules and tested recovery. Some players navigated it cleanly. Others ran out of time.
As the second week begins, the draw reflects a familiar balance — proven contenders still standing, new names pushing forward, and little margin for error remaining. The opening rounds offered answers, but only partial ones.

At the Australian Open, the first week shows who belongs. The second week decides who can last.