The French Open showdown between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic might lack some sizzle because it's a semifinal and not the final.

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French Open '13: Djokovic, Nadal brace for epic duel

The French Open showdown between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic might lack some sizzle because it's a semifinal and not the final. (Getty Images)

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Still, they both have more than enough motivation to make the match a memorable one.(Getty Images)

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Seven-time champion Nadal vs. No. 1-ranked Djokovic carries the heft of a final, even if both players need two more victories to claim the championship. Nadal bids to become the first man to win eight titles at the same Grand Slam event, while Djokovic seeks the only major title he has yet to win for a career Grand Slam. (Getty Images)

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One of them will go away disappointed on Friday, when they meet for the 35th time. Both are mindful of the match as only the means to an end.(Getty Images)

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"If you win, you didn't win anything yet," Nadal said. "It's not the final; it's the semifinals. You are not playing a match for a title. You are just playing a match to be in the final. So it's a big difference." (Getty Images)

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Nadal leads Djokovic 19-15 but lost their most recent meeting in the Monte Carlo final on clay in April. Nadal has a 6-3 advantage in Grand Slam meetings, including 4-0 at the French Open, and he won when they met in last year's final at Roland Garros. (Getty Images)

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