'It was a joy to play': Roger Federer defeats Rafael Nadal in 'exhausting' Wimbledon semi

Roger Federer has exacted sweet revenge over Rafael Nadal to sweep into a record 12th Wimbledon final with an enthralling four-set triumph over the mighty Spaniard.

Echoes of 2008 reverberated around the All England Club as Federer and Nadal wound back the clock in their much-anticipated first Wimbledon match-up in 11 years.

But unlike Nadal's five-set victory in that epic encounter more than a decade ago, a match dubbed the greatest of all time, Federer reigned 7-6 (7-3) 1-6 6-3 6-4 in another classic on Friday to set up a blockbuster final with world No.1 Novak Djokovic.

"I'm very excited to say the least," Federer said.

Less than a month shy of his 38th birthday, Federer is the second-oldest man to reach a Wimbledon final, after 39-year-old Ken Rosewall in 1974, denying Nadal for the first time in five grand slam semi-finals between the two great rivals.

Federer and Djokovic, who beat Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut 6-2 4-6 6-3 6-2 in Friday's first semi, will be clashing in the final for the third time on London's hallowed grass after the Serb prevailed in two riveting title deciders in 2014 and 2015.

Looking to match Bjorn Borg's tally of five Wimbledon crowns, Djokovic leads Federer 3-1 in grand slam finales, having also conquered the champion Swiss in the 2015 US Open showpiece.

Federer hasn't beaten Djokovic in a major final since 2007 in New York, but will carry renewed confidence into Sunday's showdown after upstaging Nadal for only the fourth time in 14 grand slam encounters.

Chasing a ninth title at the All England Club and a 21st career major overall, Federer pressed hard for the first service break against Nadal.

He upped his tennis to insane levels deep in the opening set but so supreme was Nadal too that the eight-time champion had to pull out all the stops to twice fight back from mini break points down to steal the set in a tiebreaker.

Unable to sustain such extraordinary hitting, Federer had a mental dip in the second set, dropping serve to love in the fourth game with three sloppy unforced errors.

Down 3-1, Federer all but surrendered the set with half-hearted returns as Nadal levelled the semi up.

But he hit back swiftly in the third set, breaking Nadal for the first time after winning the point of the match with a breathtaking backhand volley in the fourth game.

Continuing his relentless attacking onslaught, Federer forced Nadal into errors to break the Spaniard again in the fourth game of the fourth set to take a stranglehold on proceedings.

Federer ruefully blundered a chance to gain a match point on Nadal's serve at 3-5 when he unsuccessfully challenged a line call having hit a clean winner.

But the second seed held his nerve - and serve - amid unbearable tension in the next game to complete a memorable victory with a forehand winner on his fifth match point after three hours and two minutes.

"I'm exhausted. It was tough at the end. Rafa played some unbelievable shots to stay in the match," Federer said.

"The match a very high level and I enjoyed it. The crowd was amazing. Battles with Rafa are always very special.

"It was tough. I had spells where I really was serving very well. I thought probably the biggest points in the match went my way.

"It just thought it was a joy to play today."

Federer to meet Djokovic in final

Federer will be contesting an unprecedented 31st men's grand slam singles final with top seed Djokovic his 25th.

"Novak was supreme today," Federer said.

"He played great against Bautista Agut, who had a great tournament.

"He's the defending champion. He showed why this week. He's been rock solid.

"Hopefully I can push him to the brink and beat him, but it's not going to difficult.

"He's not No.1 by chance. He's been so good for the last year."