Nadal vs Djokovic: Rafa's Italian Open Title Makes Him French Open Favorite

Rafael Nadal may have been the favorite heading in the French Open regardless of the outcome in his Italian Open final match against Novak Djokovic.

But after beating the Djoker, he clearly heads into the Roland Garros as the tournament favorite.

Let's keep in mind that he's won the French Open six of the past seven years. Or that he should glean serious confidence after beating Djokovic for only the second time in his last nine meetings against the Serb.

Now, Nadal is as proficient on the Italian Clay as he is in France—his sixth title in Rome is a record. And Djokovic did have an uncharacteristic 41 unforced errors in this match, surely contributing to Nadal's 7-5, 6-3 win.

But as Peter Bodo of Tennis.com (via The Huffington Post) noticed, Nadal seems to have developed a solid strategy when playing Djokovic:

• Serve to Djokovic's forehand.
• Maintain his excellent and athletically superior defense throughout the match.
• Stay patient and keep working. Playing hasty is a death sentence against Djokovic.

With the win, Nadal took back the No. 2 ranking in the world, leapfrogging Roger Federer.

Speaking of Federer, perhaps he deserves some consideration for the French Open. He did win the Madrid Open on clay this year, after all.

But Federer will be in trouble if he runs into Rafa at the Roland Garros—Nadal is 12-2 against him on clay. And he probably doesn't want to see Djokovic either, who has beaten him in five of the last six matches between the two.

Nope, I would look for this one to come down to Nadal and Djokovic in the final much like the Australian Open, with Nadal getting the glory this time around in an epic match.

He's got the blueprint. He's got his preferred surface. He's got his Roland Garros history.

He'll get his seventh French Open title.

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