US Open Tennis 2011: Rafael Nadal Will Get Revenge Against Novak Djokovic

Rafael Nadal now knows exactly what it feels like to be Roger Federer.  Like Nadal has absolutely owned Federer in years past, Novak Djokovic has had Nadal’s number this year.  In the 2011 U.S. Open Finals though, Nadal will get revenge.

Djokovic is 5-0 against Nadal this year.  The two superstars met in the 2011 Wimbledon in which Djokovic won in four sets.  After defeating Andy Murray, Nadal talked to the press about his difficulty with Djokovic this season, saying via USA Today:

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I am not very happy about my mental performance against him this year.  That's true, no?  Because for moments I didn't believe really 100 percent with the victory.  That's big problem.  Because when that's happening, you have your chances less, much less than if you believe.

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Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal are the world’s No. 1 and No. 2 players, with Djokovic obviously at the top.  This year, Djokovic has won every Grand Slam that Nadal hasn’t come away victorious in.  A Nadal victory in the U.S. Open would tie the two players for Slams on the year and would break the hold that Djokovic currently has on him.

Nadal has 10 Grand Slam victories lifetime which features a career Grand Slam.  Again, he’s the one who’s used to dominating a specific opponent, not the other way around.  Nadal isn’t in denial though, he knows he has to change his approach to playing Djokovic as he was quoted saying:

"I have my game, and I beat him in the past playing my game.  The thing is (to) play my game very well and be enough strong mentally all the time, fight every ball, believe in the victory in every moment.  That's something that for moments this year I didn't (do)."

Djokovic was forced to battle much harder in the semifinals than Nadal was.  Roger Federer took Djokovic to five sets including a tie breaker while Nadal took out Andy Murray in just four.  An emotional win, such as the one Djokovic just had, can drain a competitor’s killer instinct.

The U.S. Open final could end up being a classic match, but when it’s all said and done, the tournament’s defending champion will be the last one standing: Rafael Nadal.

David Daniels is a Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report and a Syndicated Writer. Follow  him on Twitter.