Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates defeating Andy Murray of Britain in their men's singles quarter-final tennis match at the Australian Open 2014 tennis tournament in Melbourne
Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates defeating Andy Murray of Britain in their men's singles quarter-final tennis match at the Australian Open 2014 tennis tournament in Melbourne Reuters

When Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer meet Friday evening in the semifinals of the men’s singles competition of the 2014 Australian Open, more than a Grand Slam championship seat is at stake at the Rod Laver Arena.

History and legacy is on the line: Nadal has the big 22-10 edge in 32 head-to-head meetings but Federer has more Majors hardware with 17 Grand Slam titles to the Spaniard’s 13.

Both know the importance of a win in Melbourne; for Federer, who is five years the senior of Nadal, it could be one of his final chances to add another Grand Slam victory as the Swiss is in the twilight of his career.

For Nadal, a win would mean his continuing dominance over his rival— Nadal is 4-0 versus Federer in 2013—and stamp his class as indeed the best player in the world today.

READ ALSO: 2014 Australian Open Update: Rafael Nadal vs. Roger Federer XXXIII

Rafael Nadal (SPA) vs. Roger Federer (SUI) at 7:30 p.m. AEDT
Match Odds: Nadal (1.62) vs. Federer (2.30)
Game Handicap: Nadal (-1.5) vs. Federer (+1.5)

All-time head-to-head (32 meetings): Nadal leads Federer, 22-10

The last time the pair met in a Grand Slam match was here in Melbourne two years ago when Nadal won in four sets, 6-7 (5), 6-2, 7-6 (5), 6-4 also in the semifinal round of the 2012 Australian Open. Since then Nadal has dominated Federer in various tournaments:

Last five matches (Nadal leads Federer, 4-1)
Nadal won 7-5, 6-3 - Semifinals of 2013 ATP World Tour Finals
Nadal won 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 - Quarterfinals of the 2013 ATP World Tour Masters Cincinnati
Nadal won 6-1, 6-3 - Final of the 2013 ATP World Tour Maters Rome
Nadal won 6-4, 6-2- Quarterfinals of 2013 ATP World Tour Masters Indian Wells
Federer won 6-3, 6-4 - Semifinal of 2012 ATP World Tour Masters Indian Wells

The most telling stat is that the Swiss could only win one set off the Spaniard in the four wins by Nadal. The former world number one’s last win happened way back in 2012 and the current world number one is riding a four-game winning streak entering the semifinals in Melbourne.

So it is only expected that Nadal is the favourite to win the match at 1.62 betting odds. The betting line for the game handicap is also at -1.5 for Nadal.

Road to Semis

Nadal def. B.Tomic (AUS), 6-4, retired (First Round); def. T. Kokkinakis (AUS), 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 (Second Round); def. G. Monfils (FRA), 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 (Third Round); def. K. Nishikori (JPN), 7-6 (3), 7-5, 7-6 (3) (Round of 16); def. G. Dimitrov (BUL), 3-6, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (7), 6-2 (Quarterfinals)

Federer def. J. Duckworth (AUS), 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 (First Round); def. Kavcic (SLO), 6-2, 6-1, 7-6 (4) (Second Round); def. T. Gabashvili (RUS), 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 (Third Round); def. J. Tsonga (FRA), 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 (Round of 16); def. A. Murray (GBR), 6-3, 6-4, 6-7 (6), 6-3 (Quarterfinals)

Prediction: Federer, on his last legs as an elite player, actually pulls off the win to set make the championship round. Federer wins in five sets, 7-6 (4), 3-6, 4-6, 7-5, 6-4

Watch the 33rd meeting between Nadal and Federer at AO TV Live at the official tournament website.