Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will collide at Wimbledon for the first time since their so-called 'greatest match of all time' more than a decade ago, after setting up a box-office semi-final
Federer sealed his place in the semi-finals for a 13th time with a historic 100th win at the All England Club - a 4-6 6-1 6-4 6-4 victory over Kei Nishikori - before Nadal confirmed a 40th meeting with his great rival, dismissin Sam Querry 7-5 6-2 6-2.
The two tennis titans haven't clashed at Wimbledon since Nadal denied Federer 9-7 in the deciding set of their epic 2008 final that scriptwriters turned into a movie last year.
"Obviously, we have a lot of information on Rafa and he the same on me," Federer said, before the 40th instalment of their compelling career series.
"So you can either dive into tactics and all that stuff like mad for two days, or know it's grasscourt tennis and play attacking tennis."
After five consecutive losses to Federer, starting with their 2017 Australian Open final, Nadal finally turned the tables on the 20-time major winner with a straight-sets success in last month's French Open semis.
"I know people always hype it up," Federer said, of the pair's 15-year rivalry. "In Paris, they did that again this year.
"But it was a joy to play Rafa again on his court and [at Roland Garros] and I'd love to play him again at Wimbledon.
"Obviously, I'd be very excited about playing against him."
Friday's other semi-final will pit top-seeded titleholder Novak Djokovic against Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut.
Bidding to match Bjorn Borg's five titles, Djokovic booked his place in the last four for the ninth time, with a 6-4 6-0 6-2 rout of Belgian David Goffin.
Bautista Agut, the 23rd seed, beat Argentine Guido Pella 7-5 6-4 3-6 6-3 in his quarter-final.
AAP
