French Open 2012 Predictions: Projections for Men's Finals

Fresh off his straight-set win over Novak Djokovic in the finals of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome a week ago, Rafael Nadal now heads to Paris to attempt to win his record seventh French Open on the red clay of Roland Garros. 

Nadal—the winner of two straight at the French Open—is an overwhelming favorite to reach the finals again in 2012, with Djokovic and Roger Federer the two players with the best chance to knock Nadal off the tournament perch.

The French Open starts on Sunday, May 27, with the finals scheduled for June 10. 

A master of the clay, Nadal has already won two finals in 2012 on the surface. A dominating victory over Djokovic at the Monte Carlo Masters snapped a streak of losses against the No. 1 player in the world, and Nadal's straight-sets win over Djokovic in Rome should give the Spaniard all the confidence he needs should the two meet in the finals at Roland Garros. 

There's also a 45-1 career record at the French Open that Nadal can lean upon, with his one career loss at the tournament coming to a player not even participating in this year's field (Robin Soderling). 

While it would take a huge upset to keep Nadal out of the French Open finals, who faces him is still up in the air. 

Djokovic (7-0 in Grand Slams in 2012) is the likely favorite, as the world's top player is the current title holder of each of the other three Grand Slam titles (Wimbledon, US Open, Australian Open). A win at Roland Garros would also complete Djokovic's career grand slam, which only eight other players in history have accomplished in men's tennis history.

Despite a 30-5 overall record in 2012, however, Djokovic is just 10-3 on clay, including losses in Rome and Monte Carlo to Nadal and a quarterfinal defeat to Serbian Janko Tipsarevic in the ATP Masters in Madrid. 

Any further trip ups on clay could open the door for Federer, who won the Madrid Masters after Djokovic was ousted in the quarters. The No. 3 player in the world, Federer took down Tipsarevic in the semifinals before rallying to beat Tomas Berdych in three sets during the finals.

Federer also has wins in Dubai, Rotterdam and Indian Wells this season. 

However, Federer wasn't able to slip by Djokovic in the semifinals in Rome, as the Serbian rather easily beat Federer to get to the finals. A third seed at Roland Garros almost guarantees that Federer will have to beat Djokovic and Nadal in order to win his second ever French Open. 

Considering Federer has had difficulties on clay beating both Djokovic (loss in Rome) and Nadal (loss in last year's French Open), it seems unlikely that he would be able to go 2-0 to secure the title. 

England's Andy Murray has the talent necessary to make a run if either Djokovic or Federer fall, but his form on clay has left much to be desired over 2012. He's yet to get past the quarterfinals in any of three clay events in Europe this season. 

USA's John Isner gave Nadal all he could handle early in France last year, but he would be the darkest of dark horses to advance much further than the quarterfinals. He would eventually have to beat Nadal to reach the final. 

When the dust (or clay) finally settles in Roland Garros, the most likely finals showdown features Nadal and Djokovic. The prediction certainly isn't going out on any weak limb, but these are the two players performing at the highest level right now. 

Nadal should cruise to the finals, while Djokovic inches past Federer and the rest of the dark horses for a chance to stop Nadal's quest for French Open history.