Rafael Nadal: Roger Federer Is No Threat to Knock off Rafa in Australian Open

Rafael Nadal sees nothing but green lights.

Rafa has yet to lose a set in the 2012 Australian Open.  No competition stands between him and the final that he should fear, not even Roger Federer.

Nadal is the No. 2 tennis player in the world and should breeze through all opposition not named Novak Djokovic.  Despite dealing with injuries, the Spaniard’s dominance has been on full display.  According to the LA Times, in his last match against Feliciano Lopez, Nadal recorded just 14 unforced errors.

If Nadal and Federer take care of business in the quarterfinals, they’ll face off against each other in the semis.

The Australian reported that Nadal talked to the press after his win over Lopez saying:

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“I've started the tournament playing really well this time.  I felt I've played well from the first match and today I played another complete match.  Now I'm in the quarter-finals.  I am doing the right things. I am in the right place, right moment.”

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Right now, Nadal’s biggest rival is Djokovic.  Federer isn’t a rival, but a victim; it’s way too one-sided.  Rafa is in the 30-year-old’s head.

In the past two years, Federer was the last man standing in just one Grand Slam—the 2010 Australian Open.  And the only reason he won that tournament is because Nadal fell to another opponent early.

He has owned Federer like a branded cow. 

Last season, Nadal played keep away with him in the French Open yet again.  Injured or healthy as a horse, Nadal will be a heavy favorite over Federer either way.

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

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