US Open 2011: How Rafael Nadal Will Beat Novak Djokovic

Rafael Nadal has a great opportunity to knock off Novak Djokovic in the 2011 US Open. Both players have struggled with injuries of late. However, I expect this to help Nadal and hurt Federer.

Let's look at Nadal first.

Nadal's game has been deteriorating since Wimbledon, and it has altered his mental approach. This will become wildly apparent in tennis' last Grand Slam of 2011. 

Nadal's struggles can be pinpointed to injuries. He hurt his foot at Wimbledon and he and his foot have not been the same since. Following his foot injury, he suffered burns on his finger that have plagued his game as well.

Nadal is starting to figure it all out though. Following his quarterfinal loss at the Cincinnati Master he told the Guardian:

"My movements are not perfect, [there are] more mistakes than usual with the forehand. I have to play more inside the court, more aggressive."

While Nadal has been figuring out his game, his body has been recovering. His schedule has been slim lately. This allows him to enter the US Open fresh.

The same can't be said for Djokovic.

Djokovic's historic dominance this season has led to an amazing amount of matches—and it seems to be taking a toll on the 24-year-old's body.

Here is what Djokovic had to say following the Cincinnati Masters, as quoted on Independent.co.uk:

"

I've played so many matches this year. I've been winning a lot and reaching the final stages of each event. Considering the busy schedule, it's kind of normal to expect that at some stage you are exhausted, but I'm confident that I can recover and be ready for the US Open.

"

While he did enter this tournament healthy, he is going to have a lot of matches and wear and tear on his body and his ailing shoulder before he meets Nadal. This will leave him vulnerable; Nadal will be ready to capitalize.