Rafael Nadal faces Novak Djokovic on Saturday in the 2013 Rogers Cup semifinals. The match is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. Watch the live stream HERE.
Two of professional tennis' top players battle on Saturday for a spot in the Rogers Cup final. Nadal and Djokovic last met at the French Open final, where Nadal took the title in a thrilling five-set win.
The Spaniard, who was knocked out early at this year's Wimbledon, is on the quest for his third Rogers Cup title. After a first-round bye, Nadal defeated Jessie Levine (6-2, 6-0), and then Jerzy Janowicz (7-6, 6-4). On Friday, Nadal fell Marinko Matosevic (6-2, 6-4).
There were questions about Nadal's knee injury this season, but the No. 4 player in the World appears to be unbothered by it - he hasn't once dropped a set during the tournament.
"The knee is not bothering me as much," Nadal said earlier in the week, via Sports24.com. "In the last couple of days, I was able to practice with no limitation, that is the most important thing.
"After seven weeks without playing tennis, you start a tournament on a hard court, that is tougher for the body. You always feel a few things at the beginning. But hopefully those things will not limit my chances to play well."
Djokovic, meanwhile, is trying to bounce back after losing in the finals of the French Open and Wimbledon Champions. The World's No. 1 player cruised past Florian Mayer (6-2, 6-1) and survived a scare from Denis Istomin (2-6, 6-4, 6-4). On Friday, Djokovic defeated Richard Gasquet in two sets (6-1, 6-2) to advance to the semifinals.
The Serb believes the Rogers Cup court will be an advantage to him when he faces his longtime rival, Nadal. In their last 11 meetings, all of which were in finals, Djokovic won all four of their matches played on hard courts, according to BBC.
"Hard court is my most preferred surface," Djokovic said, via BBC. "I feel that that's maybe the place where I have more chances against him than on clay definitely."
Nadal agreed.
"The conditions here are probably more favourable for him," Nadal told BBC.
Saturday is the 36th meeting between Djokovic and Nadal, who's won 20 of the previous 35 matches.
*Stats via MatchStat.com.
