First, Serbia's Djokovic came through two tie breaks to outlast rising Bulgarian star Grigor Dimitrov and win a gruelling physical battle 6-4, 3-6, 7-6, 7-6, before Switzerland's Federer was more comfortable in sweeping past Canadian eighth seed Milos Raonic 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.

"That was a big victory," said the 32-year-old Swiss, who lost in the second round last year.

"I really had to focus on every point, I know that is always the case at this stage but it was hard.

"I played some great tennis under pressure at times because I didn't play well here last year, and I expect a lot of myself - in the second week I have played better as the week has gone on."

Novak Djokovic has lost five of his last six Grand Slam finals ©Getty Images



Djokovic was equally pleased with his result, particularly because he "was playing in the semi-final against a future star".

"Dmitrov's already a top player, winning against [Andy] Murray in the quarters, he deserves respect," he said.

"It was a tough match, like my last match against Cilic I allowed my opponent to come back into it.

"But, overall, I'm happy to be in the final."

Federer and Djokovic have long endured one of the greatest rivalries on the men's tour, with Federer currently leading their head-to-head by 18 matches to 16.

This has included 11 Grand Slam matches, including two thrilling five-set semi-finals at the 2010 and 2011 US Open's, both won by the Serbian.

But remarkably, a 2007 US Open final in which Federer triumphed in straight sets is their only previous meeting in a Grand Slam final. 

Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer have met in several thrilling Grand Slam matches in the past, including the semi-final of the 2011 US Open ©Getty Images



Given the fact the 2012 Wimbledon title was Federer's only Grand Slam victory in his last 18 attempts, Djokovic could be seen as the favourite, although the Serbian will have to overcome something of a hoodoo with his recent record in Grand Slam finals.

If he does win, he will overtake Rafael Nadal and return to number one in the world rankings. 

Elsewhere today, the men's doubles final will have a strong North American flavour after US twins Bob and Mike Bryan and the Canadian-US pair of Vasek Pospisil and Jack Sock each won their semi-finals in straight sets.

There were also straight sets victories in the two women's doubles last four matches, with Hungarian Timea Babos and France's Kristina Mladenovic setting up a final against Italian second seeds Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci.

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