Rafael Nadal celebrates during the men's singles quarterfinal match against Sam Querrey of the United States at the 2019 Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Britain, on July 10, 2019. (Xinhua/Lu Yang)
LONDON, July 10 (Xinhua) -- Rafael Nadal beat American Sam Querrey in straight sets here on Wednesday to set up a mouth-wartering semifinal showdown against eight-time winner Roger Federer at the Wimbledon Championships.
The 33-year-old Spaniard, who won here in 2008 and 2010, defeated the 65th-ranked American 7-5, 6-2, 6-2 to reach the last four only the second time since he finished runner-up in 2011. He lost to eventual winner Novak Djokovic in the semifinal last years.
Rafael Nadal returns the ball during the men's singles quarterfinal match against Sam Querrey of the United States at the 2019 Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Britain, on July 10, 2019. (Xinhua/Lu Yang)
It will be a rematch between the world's most successful male players after Nadal beat Federer in the semifinal of the French Open last month en route to his 12th title in Paris.
Earlier, second seed Roger Federer became the first male player in history to win 100 singles matches in a Grand Slam event after beating Japan's Kei Nishikori here at Wimbledon on Wednesday.
The eight-time champion fought back from one set down to defeat the world No. 7 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-4.
Federer, 37, has also extended his record for most Grand Slam appearances to 45.
Roger Federer competes during the men's singles quarterfinal match against Kei Nishikori of Japan at the 2019 Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Britain, on July 10, 2019. (Xinhua/Han Yan)
The other semifinal will pitch four-time winner Djokovic against another Spanish player Roberto Bautista Agut.
Top seed and defending champion Djokovic breezed past Belgium's Daivd Goffin 6-4, 6-0, 6-2, advancing to the Wimbledon semifinals for the ninth time.
Bautista Agut beat Guido Pella of Argentina 7-5, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 in the quarterfinal.
