Rafael Nadal Will Win Australian Open, Steal Back No. 1 Ranking

Rafael Nadal is still the best tennis player in the world.

You might be thinking that I am crazy making that statement, especially since the official rankings clearly state that Nadal is No. 2 in the world behind No. 1 Novak Djokovic.

It's tough to argue with the official rankings, but still have to believe that Nadal has what it takes to overcome Djokovic and reclaim the No. 1 spot that he once owned.

To be very fair, the separation between the two is not that much. I would consider them to be 1A and 1B more than anything.

Djokovic absolutely dominated everybody last season, including Nadal, but Djokovic's one great year shouldn't nullify the total body of work from Nadal, which includes 10 grand slam titles.

Let's not forget how good Nadal has been in the past. He's still the same dominant player mind you, and he's starting to catch fire at the Australian Open.

He's been great so far through the tournament—having made it to the final eight without yet dropping a set—and according to Sam Lienert of The Canberra Times, he is looking great and feeling just as good:

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More important to Nadal was his form with the Spaniard typically brutal and dominant in his dismissal of Lopez, although he said right from the start of the event he had been pleased with how he had played.

''It's positive winning three sets, yes,'' he said. ''The most positive thing is the feeling is positive during all the tournament and [I'm] happy about how I am playing and enjoying the tournament.''

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If there's one player in this tournament that can hands down challenge Djokovic and beat him in the Finals, it's Nadal.

Now granted, they both will have to get there, but at this point I like the chances of them meeting up when all is said and done.

Djokovic has the easier road, as Nadal may have to go through Roger Federer to get there, but there is no doubting that Nadal has what it takes.

I expect Nadal and Djokovic to meet up in the 2012 Australian Open finals.

Nadal will win, and reclaim his rightful spot on top of the tennis world.