WIMBLEDON

RAFA NADAL is relishing another titanic clash with Novak Djokovic.

The Spaniard and the Serb, with 29 Grand Slam and five Wimbledon titles between them, lock horns again on Centre Court this afternoon for a place in the final.

It will be the 52nd time the pair have met, more than any other two male players in the Open era.

Djokovic leads by 26 to

25 and he won their last Wimbledon meeting, the

2011 final.

Nadal, who won his last Wimbledon crown eight years ago, said: “This will be an emotional match.

“There is no other rivalry in the history of tennis that has more matches than ours.

“We have always played on important stages and Novak is one of the most difficult opponents you can face.”

Djokovic, who has battled back from an elbow injury, said: “After this last 15 months, this semi-final is different.

“With the performances I have had, I don’t want to stop here.”

John Isner – who won the longest match in Wimbledon history when he beat Nicolas Mahut

70-68 in a deciding fifth set in 2010 – faces Roger Federer’s conqueror Kevin Anderson in the semi-finals today.

Isner said: “For a lot of people, that match is the lasting image of my career. Maybe I can squash that.”