Rafael Nadal: 5 Reasons Rafa Will Advance to Australian Open 2012 Finals

The tournament hasn't officially started, yet all the tennis lovers have the same question in mind: Who is going to win the Australian Open in 2012?

Looking at a number of facts, and particularly at the draw, we can believe that Rafael Nadal has a chance to end up in the final.

Follow the guide, and let's have a closer look at the five reasons why Rafael Nadal will advance to the Australian Open 2012 finals.

1: The Draw... in His Favor

Rafael Nadal knows it: His nemesis in the draw is called Novak Djokovic. Then mathematically, to go as far as possible, he must meet the Serb as late as possible in the tournament.

This year's draw of the Australian Open is great for "Rafa." In fact, it is the first time since Roland Garros 2005 that Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are in the same part of a Grand Slam board.

A true asset for the Spaniard is to meet Roger Federer rather than Novak Djokovic in the semifinals: In front of Federer, Nadal's statistics remain clear: 17 wins out of 26 meetings.

So pretty good odds: 73 percent chance for the world No. 2 to reach the final.

2: End of the Injuries

Often injured in 2011, Rafael Nadal has left his wounds behind him, and it is a fit athlete that will be back on the court in Melbourne.

"Rafa" announced it: He no longer suffers like he used to last season, with shoulder and foot pains.

Thus, the Spaniard will be less vulnerable and should defeat his opponents more easily.

3: The Surface

It is a secret for nobody, Rafael Nadal's favorite surface is clay. But let's not underestimate Nadal on hard surfaces, especially in Melbourne.

In Australia, the court is deemed to be rather slow, which fosters the Spaniard's type of tennis. And even if he won only once at Melbourne Park, "Rafa" has played six finals out of eight participations at the Australian Open. No so bad!

4: Lion Rafa Is Hungry

In 2011, Rafael Nadal has won "only" one Grand Slam tournament: Roland Garros.

Enough for scandalmonger to say that "Rafa"'s era was over in the favor of Djokovic hyper-dominance.

But let's not forget that apart from the Australian Open final, Rafael Nadal reached the three other Grand Slam's final, including a win in Paris and a very hotly contested final in New York.

So, no, Rafael Nadal is not out. The Spaniard is a fighter, and in 2012, with no injury problems and his incredible mental force to fight, there are good odds of seeing the world No. 2 entering the court on the final day.

5: Rafa Is Talented

Things are getting better for Rafael Nadal in 2012, no more injuries, back to self-confidence, new racquet, draw in his favor...Certainly all this could help him run to the final. But Rafa has one more thing: talent.

Often overlooked in the middle of Djokovic's incredible 2011 season, Rafael Nadal is nevertheless one of the wonders of tennis. And it is good to keep in mind all the talent of the Spaniard on a court.

Even if he won't be playing on his favorite surface in Melbourne, Rafael Nadal could create the feat thanks to—simply—his talent for tennis.