2012 French Open Day 13: Roger Federer vs Novak Djokovic Preview

Day 13 of the 2012 French Open will feature the men's semifinals and in one of the two matches scheduled for play, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic will meet. Their semifinal is a rematch of a 2011 French Open semifinal, a match that was won by Federer about a year ago.

However, heading into this year's semifinal Djokovic is considered the favorite as Paddy Power, for example, have the World No. 1 priced at -187 to win straight up. Federer, the underdog in the match, comes in at +162 with bet365.

Djokovic is into the semifinal by the skin of his teeth having saved four match points against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the quarters. Federer has not had to save a match point so far at the 2012 French Open, however, he did have to come back from two sets down in the quarters against Juan Martin del Potro. The Swiss Maestro has probably benefited from the scheduling at this year's Roland Garros event as he will be playing in the semifinals following two full day's rest.

Federer leads Djokovic on head-to-heads 14-11, however, the Serb has won five of their last six matches. The lone win by Federer in those six matches was the 2011 French Open semifinal victory, a result that has to give the World No. 3 some confidence heading into this year's semifinals.

Djokovic has never made the French Open final in his career and he was playing better tennis at this time last season. However, Federer has not looked sharp at the 2012 French Open despite winning five matches. Four of those matches were against highly inexperienced players, including two players that were making their Grand Slam debuts. You could question what the victory against del Potro proved as the Argentine has been bothered by a knee injury and still managed to push Federer to five sets despite that injury.

In the end, Federer defeating Tobias Kamke, Adrian Ungur, Nicolas Mahut, David Goffin, and an injured del Potro doesn't really prove that much. Djokovic's draw through Tsonga and Seppi has to be considered much tougher and I think the Serb's status as favorite heading into the semifinal is justified.

Prediction: Djokovic in four.