Australian Open 2012 Results: How Djokovic Will Continue Streak vs. Nadal

Novak Djokovic has a lot working against him as he gets set to face Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open final on Sunday in Melbourne. He battled back and forth with Andy Murray for nearly five hours in the semifinals. He hasn't looked as sharp recently. And Nadal looks to be in top form.

Nonetheless, Djokovic will win the 2012 Australian Open for the second straight year. Here are three reasons why the world No. 1 won't cave into the splendid Spaniard.

3. What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger

Sure, Djokovic just played a brutalizing affair against the revived Andy Murray, but he could have easily lost on Friday in Melbourne. Instead, he won the final two sets after falling behind, two sets to one.

One of Djokovic's biggest strengths is his mental game. He battled back against Roger Federer in the semifinals of the 2011 US Open after Federer won the first two sets of the match. He also beat Nadal in six finals last year, including at the Open and at Wimbledon. At both the Open and Wimbledon against Nadal, he finished the all-time great off in the fourth set after losing the third sets.

Djokovic will undoubtedly be hurting physically against Nadal in the final, but he will still have his mind, and that's what matters.

2. Return of the Jedi

I'm sorry to bring a Star Wars reference into the mix, but this "jedi" is the best returner in the game now, bar none. It's a reason why he dominated last season, going on a 41-match winning streak and stunning the world.

For every sizzling shot Nadal will make on Sunday, Djokovic will be prepared and eager to send it sizzling back his way. It's refreshing to see a player not get by with his serve, but by dominating defensively. Djokovic not only plays mind tricks with his opponents, he has "The Force" to get to balls he has no business getting to.

1. Backhanded Complement

Djokovic not only has an outstanding backhand, it's the premier way to defeat Nadal—just ask Federer. One of the reasons why Federer continues to lose to Nadal is because Nadal's blistering left-handed forehand is too much for his backhand.

Djokovic doesn't have this problem. In addition to having the best return game in tennis, he also has the best backhand. If you watched him versus Murray on Friday, it was almost as if he preferred to use his backhand.

Nadal's forehand—one of his most powerful weapons—is deadened by Djokovic's ability to return with his backhand.