Rafael Nadal vs. Tomas Berdych: Victory Will Prove Czech Belongs with Elite

Tomas Berdych will burst from the periphery and into the heart of the game's elite with a big win over Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open.  

Berdych has shown the potential to be one of the game's greats, but he has been undone by inconsistencies and a shaky mental makeup. The 26-year-old is currently ATP's seventh-ranked player. 

He is finding that consistency, and is now ready to make a statement against Nadal who has beaten him in 10 of their 13 matches. 

Why Berdych Will Win

Berdych has a monster serve, and he has been stroking it well. This will be a huge bonus to him in this match. 

Nadal is at his best when he can take control of points and get his opponents running all over the court. That is much harder to pull off when he is desperately trying just to return a serve. 

Berdych can take control of points with his serve, and then end them at the net before Nadal has a chance to regain control. 

And it is at the net where Berdych will ultimately win this match. Tomas will be able to keep Rafa off balance all match. He has been fantastic charging the net, and quickly ends points once he is there. This will keep him from playing a match that looks like a track meet, which has doomed him in previous efforts against Nadal. 

This serve-and-approach game will overpower Nadal and never let him get into a rhythm, which will lead to Berdych advancing past the great champion and throwing his name onto the small list of players that begin every Grand Slam as one of the favorites.