Rafa is back at No. 2 and back struggling his way upward—just where he likes to be. Except that this year he comes in after a season that seemed to be one long shot to his confidence. His six final-round losses to Novak Djokovic rattled Nadal, and they may have given other opponents a few ideas—Gael Monfils and Andy Murray recently beat Rafa using some suspiciously Nole-esque tactics. Nadal will also have to avoid the injury bug that bit him in the quarterfinals the last two years in Melbourne. But being No. 2 and struggling his way upward is a place Nadal knows well. He’s been there before, and he has risen from there before.
Why He’ll Win: He’s only been the champ in Oz once, but the slow surface is made for his game. And his nemesis, Novak Djokovic, has to slip up eventually.
Why He Won’t: Not only will Djokovic be looming on the other side of the draw, but Murray and Federer each beat Rafa the last time they played him.
Bottom Line: If Djokovic is upset, the title could be Rafa’s for the taking. But whether it’s an injury or a hot opponent, something generally gets in the way of his quest Down Under.
More Previews:
- Kim Clijsters
- Juan Martin del Potro
- Petra Kvitova
- Novak Djokovic
- Maria Sharapova
- Roger Federer
- Samantha Stosur
- Andy Murray
- Serena Williams
- Rafael Nadal
- Caroline Wozniacki