Australian Open 2012: Why a Djokovic-vs.-Federer Men's Final Is Inevitable

Excitement is building among tennis fans the world over, as the Australian Open, the first of the four Grand Slams of the year, is due to kick off in just a few days. However, while the potential for an upset always exists, the men’s singles part of the draw looks to be fairly straightforward, and two players will be favored above the rest to make the final.

Defending champion Novak Djokovic, the No. 1 player in the world, is coming off a dominating 2011, in which he finished with a 70-6 record and 10 tournament championships, including three Grand Slams.

With the Serbian hitting the peak of his career, Djokovic will be eager to grab more trophies
and further cement his status as the best player in the men’s game. Besides his incredible play last season, which was especially imperious on hard courts, he also has the advantage of a great draw at the Open.

While Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are on a path to meet in the semifinals, Djokovic toughest
opposition figures to be the solid-but-unspectacular David Ferrer, the terminally declining Andy Roddick and the chronic underachiever Andy Murray. If Djokovic plays to his potential, there is no reason why he shouldn’t be able to have a fairly straightforward time in the early rounds, and reach the weekend of the final round fairly rested and healthy.

His opposition in the finals will be the Swiss great Roger Federer, the No. 3 player in the
world. This may strike some as a surprising choice given that Federer had a 2011 that was decidedly poor by his standards. 2012 will mark the first time in 10 years that Federer does not currently hold a Grand Slam title.

However, at the season ending ATP World Tour Finals in London last November, Federer came out strong, defeating Nadal in just over an hour, and then brushing aside the dynamic Jo-Wilfred
Tsonga in the finals. While Federer is certainly not getting younger, he still has shown he has the talent and drive to play well on the hard court, his second-favorite surface, behind grass.

As for Nadal, he is planning to take off several weeks to rest a nagging shoulder injury after the
Australian Open, and the injury is almost certain to prevent him playing at his best.

Nadal, who won the French Open last year, will have his health issues compounded by a draw that will test him even before a potential semifinal clash with Federer. Lastly, Nadal, who is less at home on hard court, will likely succumb to injuries that will hamper his play.

Of course, Grand Slam tennis is unpredictable by nature, which will make the Open worth watching for both tennis zealots and casual sports fans alike. Just don’t be surprised to see Djokovic and Federer square up at Rod Laver Arena two weeks from Sunday.