French Open Tennis 2012: Rafael Nadal Will Not Be Denied 7th French Championship

Rafael Nadal is in the process of claiming his record-setting seventh title at the French Open. Nadal has dominated this event, and he looks as good as ever doing it. 

He easily dispatched Argentina's Eduardo Schwank 6-1, 6-3, 6-4 in third round play. That improves his career record at the French Open to a mind boggling 48-1.

Nadal has yet to lose a set in his three matches at this year's French and has lost just a total of 17 games. 

Rafa now advances to the Round of 16 and awaits the winner of the Juan Monaco-Milos Raonic match. But the matter of who his opponent is is of little consequence. Rafa is going to defeat him. 

He has no equals on clay, and there is not a player alive that presents matchup problems with Rafa on this surface. 

The slower clay surface is perfect for Nadal. Rafa is certainly not the most dominant server in the game, and the clay court limits the impact of the serve. It also is the perfect surface for Nadal to showcase his range. 

Rafa is healthy and he is attacking the court. He doesn't just get to balls that he has no right getting to, but he can hit them back with authority. 

Another huge advantage Rafa has here is that he has more time to set up for his forehand.

Nadal's forehand is one of the best weapons in the sport, and he is stroking that shot better than ever. It is powerful and loaded with topspin. This gives his opponents fits. 

Nadal's biggest obstacle in this tournament figures to be ATP No. 1 Novak Djokovic. However, not even the great Djokovic has the game to beat Rafa here. In fact, Nadal just beat Nole on clay with a 7-5, 6-3 in the finals at the Foro Italico.

Nadal is playing wonderful tennis right now, and it will lead to his unprecedented seventh French Open title.