Federer vs. Nadal: Semi-Final Clash Is Irrelevant If Novak Djokovic Is in Final

Tennis' best rivalry will be on display once again in the semifinals of the 2012 Australian Open.

Roger Federer, a 16-time Grand Slam champion, and Rafael Nadal, a 10-time Grand Slam champion, will take the court against one another for the 27th time in their careers.

Eight of those 27 times have decided the final of a Grand Slam event, but this is only the second time they've met in the semifinals.

Nadal holds a 17-9 record over the Swiss superstar and hoping these two meet on the court is part of every tennis event.

This year, although likely another classic match, will be irrelevant if Novak Djokovic can advance to the finals.

The world's No. 1 has picked up exactly where he left off last season and regardless of who advances to the finals between Nadal and Federer, he's going to be on his game.

Djokovic knocked off Nadal in the finals of six tournaments last season including Wimbledon and the US Open.

Federer actually beat Djokovic at the French Open—the only player to do so in a Grand Slam last year—before losing to Nadal in the final.

Djokovic was 4-1 against Federer though and beat him in the US Open semifinal en route to his third Slam win of the year.

The Serbian star has simply been dominant.

Federer and Nadal will steal the show with their semifinal clash, but if Djokovic is in the finals it won't matter much.

This may be a new year, but he's going to prove their title choices are still the same.