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Nadal (L) and Federer (R) will meet at Wimbledon for the first time since the 2008 final as they both advance to the semi-finals at Wimbledon 2019. /VCG Photo
Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer set up a Wimbledon semi-final blockbuster on Wednesday, 11 years after their epic 2008 title duel which is widely regarded as the greatest Grand Slam final ever played.
Nadal, the two-time champion, made the last four for the seventh time and 32nd at the Slams, by beating Sam Querrey 7-5, 6-2, 6-2.
Nadal, who was also champion in 2010, broke Querrey six times, sent down 10 aces and 44 winners in a convincing display which will give him great hope of beating Federer for the 25th time.
"It's great (to be facing Federer at Wimbledon again)," said 33-year-old Nadal whose recent 12th Roland Garros victory took him to 18 Slam titles.
Nadal wins the 2008 Wimbledon final after victory against Federer. /VCG Photo
Federer's 100th Wimbledon singles win
Eight-time champion Federer racked up his 100th match win at Wimbledon and reached his 13th semi-final with a 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 defeat of Japan's Kei Nishikori.
The 37-year-old will be playing in the semi-finals of a major for the 45th time.
Federer is also the oldest man to make the semis of a major since Jimmy Connors at the 1991 U.S. Open.
"We have a lot of information on Rafa and so does he about us. I know people always hype it up in a big way," said 20-time major winner Federer.
"They did that again in Paris this year (when Nadal won their semi-final in straight sets). I'd love to play against him here at Wimbledon.
"But I go about it like every other match."
Friday's semi-final will be the pair's 40th meeting and third at Wimbledon after Federer won the 2006 and 2007 finals before Nadal swept to his famous 2008 triumph.
It is the first time for 12 years that Djokovic, Nadal and Federer have all made the last four at Wimbledon. /VCG Photo
The other semi-final will see four-time champion and top seed Novak Djokovic tackle Roberto Baustista Agut.
Bautista Agut, 31, booked his first appearance in a Slam last four at the 27th attempt by seeing off Pella, who had never previously reached a quarter-final at the majors.
"Novak is the number one in the world and he's playing really well on grass," said Bautista Agut, who has a 3-7 record against the Serb.
Djokovic reached the Wimbledon semi-finals for the ninth time, racking up his 70th career win at the All England Club in the process.
Xu Yifan eyes on Grand Slam title
Xu Yifan (L)/Gabriela Dabrowski power into women's doubles semi-final at Wimbledon, July 10. /VCG Photo
Fourth-seeded Xu Yifan from China and Gabriela Dabrowski from Canada have reached the women's doubles semifinals at Wimbledon, beating Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Danielle Collins from the United States 6-1, 6-3 on Wednesday.
Earlier on Monday, Xu and Dabrowski reached the 4th round, beating Chinese pair Duan Yingying and Zheng Saisai 7-5, 6-3.
"I enjoy the match and I am eager to win the Grand Slam title. I will try to make my career as long as possible," Xu said.
At last month's French Open, one of the quarterfinals was a duel between the two pairs. Duan and Zheng defeated Xu and her partner 2-6, 7-5, 5-7.
Last year, Xu and Dabrowski reached the quarterfinals at Wimbledon. Xu has teamed up with Dabrowski during recent years as the fourth-seeded at Wimbledon.
(With input from Xinhua, AFP)