Australian Open 2012: Rafael Nadal Will Not Be Stopped

Rafael Nadal's sterling play is going to lead to the world's No. 2 player winning his 11th Grand Slam title. Nadal is playing some of the best tennis of his career, and this will become even more apparent as he prepares to face the likes of Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. 

Nadal has been on an absolute tear at an Australian Open that began ominously for him. Rafa suffered a frightening knee injury while sitting in his chair. 

Thankfully for Nadal, the injury did not keep him from his first match, and if it hurt his performance, it was impossible to tell. 

Rafa did not lose a single set until the quarterfinals. That run of dominance led Nadal to a match with Tomas Berdych. Nadal had a tough time early in that match as Berdych's power was giving him fits. 

Nadal lost the first set 6-7(5) and the second went to a tiebreaker, which he won 7-6(6). That's when Nadal began to take control as he won the last two sets 6-4, 6-3. 

His returns were on point, and this led him to aggressive and effective play. He ended the match with a solid 54 winners and 30 unforced errors. 

That performance is right in line with how Rafa has been playing this season. His returns have been deadly. On the year, he has won 37 percent of his opponents first serves that have been in play. Overall, he has won 54 percent of his opponents' service games. 

This is the kind of play that has propelled Nadal to 10 Grand Slam titles, and it's the kind of play that will lead to him winning his 11th.