Roger Federer vs Rafael Nadal Shanghai Masters final: Tennis fans brace for battle of heavyweights

Iconic players Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer are clashing in Shanghai Masters final on Sunday after both secured hard-fought wins in the knock-out stages.Top seed Nadal, seeking a seventh title of 2017, beat Croat Marin Cilic 7-5 7-6 (7-3) in two hours, 11 minutes.

Federer showed great resolve to thwart Argentine Juan Martin del Potro 3-6 6-3 6-3 in just under two hours.

It will be the elite pair's fourth meeting of the year and the 24th time they have faced each other in a final. Top-seeded Nadal defeated Marin Cilic of Croatia 7-5, 7-6 (3) in the first semi-final, and second-seeded Federer was stretched to three sets before posting a 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 win over Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina.

It will be the elite pair's fourth meeting of the year and the 24th time they have faced each other in a final.Wimbledon champion Federer beat Nadal to win the Australian Open in January and has won the last four matches against him, who have 35 Grand Slams between them.

On the other hand, Nadal holds a 23-14 winning record over Federer and has won 14 out of 23 finals against the Swiss ace.Tennis fans all over the world were highly awaiting the contest between the giants and will hope for a grand match.