Andy Murray, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic play at Wimbledon on Friday

Andy Murray and Roger Federer will collide on Centre Court on Friday in a vintage Wimbledon semi-final featuring two of the top talents of this generation.

The British No 1 has already suggested he will have to share the adoration of the crowd with the smooth Federer, whose seven championships in London have made him a favourite of the All England Club.

Three years ago, Federer dispatched Murray in a fascinating final to record his latest Wimbledon win. A year later, Murray would go on to lift the honours and the pendulum may have swung in the Scot’s favour by Friday.

At 28 and over a five set match, he will hope that the extra spring and vigour in his legs can carry him past Federer who was written off as a fading legend until replying with some of his greatest tennis in the past year.

Check out Murray v Federer classic matches here

The Swiss has dropped just a single set en route to the last four and just one service game, most recently eliminating Gilles Simon. In order to interrupt that rhythm, Murray must go on the attack according to his coach.

Jonas Bjorkman said: “He has the legs, he's one of the fastest guys out there, he's super strong and he can attack in behind when he's under pressure.

"Even against someone like Roger that is a good way to play. It puts off the guy who wants to come in - he wants to move forward but then all of a sudden he has to go back.”

He has the legs, he's one of the fastest guys out there, he's super strong and he can attack in behind when he's under pressure.

The recent head-to-head stats do not make pleasant reading for Murray fans because Federer has won their most recent three matches, including an embarrassing 6-0 6-1 thrashing at the O2 Arena last November where the Scot narrowly avoided a whitewash.

But he can look back fondly to his most recent grass court contest against the 17-time Grand Slam winner – the 2012 Olympic gold medal match on Centre Court which Murray won a year before his solitary Wimbledon triumph.

It is a mouth-watering prospect to see two of the game’s greats go toe-to-toe made even tastier by the prospect of who may await the victor in Sunday’s final.

Novak Djokovic will find a resurgent Richard Gasquet who is finally justifying his mercurial talent in front of him en route to a third Grand Slam final of 2015.

The world No 1 had already added an Australian Open to his seven other Grand Slam titles before falling just short at Roland Garros, but will be heavily favoured to overcome his semi-final foe and set up a blockbuster final.

The head-to-head statistics are kind to Djokovic. He has beaten Gasquet 11 times, most recently at the French Open, and lost just once. But on Friday he must contest the Frenchman’s ever improving fitness levels.

While Djokovic is feted for his unrivalled athleticism, Gasquet has embarked on a training regime that is complimenting his natural ability with the racquet.

Now coached by Sebastien Grosjean and Sergi Bruguera, the rejuvenated 29-year-old may have left it late but will see Friday’s semi-final as his best opportunity to elevate himself among the world’s elite players.

Check out Gasquet's second chance here

His new characteristics were apparent as he edged a five-set thriller against Stan Wawrinka in the last eight but the 21st seed will find himself opposite the world’s best player who barely moved into second gear during his quarter-final.

A straight sets win over Marin Cilic means Djokovic is likely to be fresh, which could result in a classic Wimbledon final against Murray or Federer.