Nadal vs. Djokovic: Aussie Open Final a Preview of War for Supremacy in 2012

Let there be no question about it: Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal are the two finest tennis players in the world, and the gap widened between them and the field at the Australian Open.

Watching them battle for the right to be called the best player in the world this year is going to be amazing to watch.

Djokovic didn't beat Nadal so much as he outlasted him in an epic five-set match (5-7 6-4 6-2 6-7 (7-5) 7-5) that lasted five hours and 53 minutes, making it the longest final in Grand Slam history. It's Djokovic's third straight Grand Slam title and seventh straight victory over Nadal—both remarkable numbers.

Truly, each deserved to win the match. And it sets up a potential meeting between the two at the French Open that could be another match for the ages.

On one hand, Djoker will be going for history, as Darren Holden of the Sydney Morning Herald noted:

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Djokovic will now head to the French Open in May bidding to join the legendary Laver in an exclusive club of just two players to have held all four grand slam men's singles trophies simultaneously.

And after thwarting Nadal for a seventh straight time in nine phenomenal months, Djokovic will arrive at Roland Garros also striving to become the first man since Donald Budge in 1937-38 to complete a non-calendar-year grand slam sweep.

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Fittingly, Roland Garros is where Nadal has carved his legend, having won six of the last seven French Open titles. Plus, a Nadal victory would spoil Djokovic's legendary run, remove the monkey that rides on Nadal's back every time he plays the Djoker and set the stage for a true battle of supremacy at the top of the men's game.

A win by Djokovic would not just make history, but it would also cement him as far and away the game's top player.

There's quite some tennis to be played between now and the Roland Garros in May, and the two will surely battle in the duration. And while those matches will provide Nadal the opportunity break his losing streak against the Djoker and steal the top overall ranking, the potential for an epic French Open final will surely be on the tennis world's mind all year.

Enjoy the power struggle at the top of the tennis world, tennis fans—it doesn't get much better than this.

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