Monte Carlo mash-up: Fed vs. Nole, Rafa vs. Kolya

Well, well. The men's clay-court season couldn't have started off better if you planned it (but let's not start the match-fixing talk again, ok?)

The top four ballers in the world are meeting up this weekend in the semifinals of Monte Carlo:

The marquee matchup pits world no. 1 Roger Federer against growing nemesis Novak Djokovic. Their last meeting was, of course, in the same round at the Australian Open where the sexy Serb defeated Federer and went on to win his maiden Grand Slam. Their head-to-head stands at 5-2 for the Swiss but Nole has taken the last two out of three. And don't be fooled - there's no love lost between these two ballers.

In the other half three-time defending champion Rafael Nadal, who owns a staggering 95-1 record on the slippery stuff dating back to 2005, will face-off against Davydenko. The Russian took their most recent meeting in the final of last month's Sony Ericsson Open so he'll come in with some confidence against his Spanish foe. But Rafa will be looking for revenge and Davydenko knows the odds are stacked against him on the red clay.

Who'll take this title and make their move towards Roland Garros?

*VIA DOWNTHELINETENNIS.COM

(images via Getty)