Handing out grades after the Aussie Open's first week

	Intimidating? Who, me? Lucas Dawson/Getty Images
	MAILBAG Jon Wertheim will answer questions from SI.com users in his mailbag every Wednesday. Your name: Your e-mail address: Your home town: Enter your question:

We have a week left and only one defending champion still standing. Like the weather, Serena Williams is unusually hot. The American men have given a terrific accounting of themselves. Herewith, our midterm grades from the year's first major:

A

Roger Federer: On the verge of reaching the semis for the 11th consecutive Slam.

Serena Williams: The hot weather notwithstanding, she was the story of Week 1. The more other players dismiss her, the more it becomes clear Serena still has an intimidation factor that's good for a game or two a set.

Fernando Verdasco: On the verge of defeat, the Spaniard won his first-round match when Paul Henri Mathieu retired with a turned ankle. Concerned about his opponent's well-being, Verdasco accompanied Mathieu to the hospital.

Martina Hingis: Granted, she hasn't exactly played top opposition, but through three rounds she has yet to drop more than two games in a set.

American men: Four of the final 24 men were Yanks and that doesn't include wild card Sam Querrey, who reached Round 3. Cancel the order for that embalming fluid.

Vera Zvonareva: Back from her swoon, the feisty Russian stormed into Round 4.

A-minus

Maria Sharapova: Flirted with disaster (and heat stroke) in her first-round epic, but she's still around.

David Nalbandian: By all rights, he should have lost in the first round. But the Argentine, having twice recovered from two-set-to-love deficits, is still with us.

B-plus

Ashley Harkleroad: A fine effort by the erstwhile "American Anna," grinding out two wins. But serving for the match (twice), she failed to put away her old nemesis, Daniela Hantuchova.

Alicia Molik: The crowd favorite lost in three sets to Patty Schnyder, but her career is headed back on track.