Djokovic vs Federer
Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer face each other in a blockbuster semifinal match at the 2016 Australian Open in Melbourne. Reuters/Thomas Peter

The only downside of the blockbuster Australian Open 2016 semifinal match between Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer is that the match will not happen in the final round of the tournament.

Djokovic meets Federer on the hard court for the 45th time in the semifinal round of the 2016 Australian Open at Melbourne Park, reliving one of the most intense rivalries in tennis history. Both players are tied at 22-22 in their FedEx ATP Head2Head tally, but Djokovic held the upper hand in defeating Federer in last season's major tournaments, including the final rounds of Wimbledon, the US Open and the ATP World Tour Finals.

“I don’t think there’s too big of a difference, physically,” Djokovic told the New York Times, playing down his supreme edge over Federer based on their recent matches. “He’s been winning quite comfortably this tournament. The longer the match goes, maybe I have a slightly bigger chance. I don’t still think it’s something I can heavily rely on.”

After being taken to five sets by France’s Gilles Simon in the fourth round of the Australian Open, Djokovic made quick work of Japan's Kei Nishikori in the quarterfinal stage 6-3 6-2 6-4. The win gives the Serb another chance to spoil an impressive Australian Open run by Federer, who has not had a major since Wimbledon in 2012 despite repeatedly coming close.

Not only are they gunning for this year’s Australian Open title, Federer and Djokovic are also competing to be tennis’ first $100 million man. Federer currently has a total prize money of $97,341,456, while Djokovic has collected $94, 2551,218. Whoever wins the semifinal has the chance to get closer to winning the 2016 Australian Open purse of $13.8 million.

Meanwhile, Federer admitted it would mean a lot to him to emerge victorious over a dominating Djokovic. The Swiss Maestro, who reached his 12th Melbourne semifinal, displayed another impressive performance to fend off Czech Tomas Berdych in straight sets 7-6(4) 6-2 6-4. But the 17-time Grand Slam winner believes it would take more than what he had produced so far at the 2016 Australian Open.

“It’s part of the reason why I guess I’m still playing,” Federer said, reports The Guardian. “I feel like I’m competitive at the top. I can beat all the guys on Tour. It would mean a lot to me, no doubt about it.”

Live streaming info and score updates

Watch the Australian Open 2016 live via ATP’s official website or TennisTV. Live scores for matches will be available on game days via Australian Open’s official website.

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