Australian Open 2012 Finals: Djokovic vs. Nadal Is Perfect Way To Start Year

The Australian Open is the first Grand Slam of the year and often the most easily forgotten. The best way to avoid that is to have the game's two best and most popular players square off in the finals.

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, a duo that met in the finals of six different events last year, are heading for a seventh.

Djokovic has dropped only one set in the tournament thus far. Nadal hasn't dropped a single one.

In fact, Nadal hasn't even allowed an opponent to earn more than four games.

These two are on a collision course for the finals and it is the perfect way to start the year.

Djokovic upended Nadal in the finals of two Grand Slams last year, Wimbledon and the US Open, and you can be sure that Nadal wants nothing more than another crack at his new rival.

Before he gets there, though, he may encounter his old rival Roger Federer, but his beef isn't with the 30-year-old Swiss player.

For Nadal to be happy at all about his play right now he needs to be on the court against Djokovic with the trophy on the line.

Djokovic will want it that way too, which is what makes this matchup so great.

The Australian Open is coming to a close quickly, but it won't be complete without a Djokovic vs. Nadal finale.