The pair will meet in the semi-finals of the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami and will resume the rivalry that has had tennis fans gripped for years.

Spaniard Nadal leads the head-to-head 14-8 and world number three Roger Federer is expecting a classic battle.

"I think we really get up for these kind of matches against each other because we know the world is watching," he said.

"We always have these incredible points and incredible matches against each other."

Federer won his place in the semi-finals after his opponent, Frenchman Giles Simon was forced to retire just six minutes into the match due to a niggling back injury that surfaced during the warm up.

"I tried to relax after the warm-up. I tried everything. I mean, anti-inflammatories, hot cream, just trying to feel better," said Simon.

"Just after the second forehand, I tried to hit it very hard; I felt it very hard also. I knew I had no chance to play today."

World number one Nadal had a very different route in reaching the semi-finals and had to work hard to beat Czech Tomas Berdych in a two hour 17 minute match.

After being overpowered by Nadal in the first set which he lost 2-6, Berdych turned the tide in the second with consistently powerful serving and managed to win his first set off the Spaniard since 2006, taking it 6-3.

Nadal was not to be outdone though and pushed hard in the decider to go through 6-2 3-6 6-3 to the delight of the packed stadium court and set up the semi-final against Federer.