Rafael Nadal vs Novak Djokovic: When is Italian Open semi-final? Head-to-head record, odds

Djokovic had to battle against Kei Nishikori in the quarter-finals on Friday but eventually came back to win 2-6, 6-1, 6-3.

Rafael Nadal had earlier beaten Fabio Fognini 4-6 6-1 6-2 to reach the last four.

Spaniard Nadal has admitted that he doesn’t want to play Djokovic despite his phenomenal clay record.

"To be honest, I prefer not to play against [Djokovic],” Nadal said.

“He is one of the best in history, no doubt.

“I am not like those [players] who say 'yes, I want to measure myself with him’.

"If I have to face him, then I give my best to win as I have always done in my career, but obviously, you prefer to have easier opponents than a great player like Novak."

When is Rafael Nadal vs Novak Djokovic?

Nadal faces Djokovic in the second match on centre court in the Italian capital.

The first women’s semi-final between Elina Svitolina and Anett Kontaveit is first before the men meet.

Nadal and Novak Djokovic will not be on court before 3pm local time, that’s 2pm in the UK.

Who is leading the head-to-head record?

The pair have met exactly 50 times on the ATP Tour and Djokovic just has the edge.

The Serb has won 26 times compared to Nadal’s 24 though they haven’t face each other in over a year.

Their last meeting came at the Madrid Open in 2017 with Nadal progressing in straight sets winning 6-2 6-4.

However Nadal holds the clear edge on clay, winning 15 of the 22 matches on the red dirt.

Odds

The bookies have Nadal as clear favourite to progress to the Italian Open final.

Nadal 1/6

Djokovic 4/1

Odds courtesy of Sky Bet