US Open 2015 final: Novak Djokovic vs Roger Federer start time, head-to-head record and classic meetings

The world's two best players contest the final Grand Slam of the year

Roger Federer in action at the US Open (GETTY IMAGES)

Novak Djokovic vs Roger Federer is the dream US Open final for tennis fans and that's exactly what will be served up when the top two seeds meet at Flushing Meadows this evening.

The contest on Arthur Ashe stadium is scheduled to begin at 9pm BST.

Both players have had brilliant years. Djokovic has compiled a 56-5 season with six titles. Federer is 45-7 and won five times. Their career head-to-head is 21-20 in Federer's favor.

Djokovic, the reigning Australian Open and Wimbledon champion, has won nine slam singles and will be playing in his sixth Flushing Meadows final.

But Djokovic has won just one US Open title (2011) from his five previous finals and the pressure is mounting to cash in on opportunity.

"I came here with a wish and a mission, to reach the finals and fight for the trophy," said Djokovic. "So I got myself in that position. It's already a great result. But I want to get that final step on Sunday and get my hands on that trophy."

The loss of just three games is a new record for a grand slam semi-final set at the US Open (GETTY)

Their personal series further promotes the likelihood of a pitched battle at Arthur Ashe Stadium, with Federer's victory over Djokovic in the final of last month's Cincinnati hardcourt tune-up to the US Open edging him ahead in their series.

But Federer has a deeper wound to avenge, having lost in the 2015 Wimbledon final to the Serb.

"I didn't quite agree that I played a poor finals," he said about their clash at the All England Club. "I think I played OK in the finals," he insisted. "I just think Novak played a really good finals. He was super tough and he deserved it at the end."

The Swiss has not lost a set in his march to a seventh US final but has now won a slam since Wimbledon 2012.

Ahead of tonight's contest, we take a look at five of their most memorable matches.

Wimbledon final 2014: Djokovic wins 6-7 (7/9) 6-4 7-6 (7/4) 5-7 6-4.

In a thrilling-five set match on Centre Court, Federer came from 5-2 down in the fourth and saved a championship point to force a decider but the Swiss' hunt for a record eighth Wimbledon title again came to nothing. It was Djokovic's seventh grand slam success, ending an 18-month drought without a major title, and his first since appointing Boris Becker coach at the start of the year.

Serbia's Novak Djokovic returns to Switzerland's Roger Federer during their men's singles final match (Getty)

Wimbledon semi-final 2012: Federer wins 6-3 3-6 6-4 6-3.

Djokovic arrived at Wimbledon as reigning champion and on the back of winning four of the last six major tournaments. His defence, however, came to an abrupt end as Federer produced one of his finest displays to beat the Serbian in two hours and 19 minutes. Federer went on to win the tournament at the All England Club, which remains his most recent grand slam triumph.

US Open semi-final 2011: Djokovic wins 6-7 (7/9) 4-6 6-3 6-2 7-5.

The greatest comeback of the pair's rivalry saw Djokovic come from two sets down and then save two match points in the decider, as he went on to clinch his fourth grand slam title. Federer broke in the fifth set and looked certain to win when serving for the match at 40-15, but Djokovic came roaring back to go through.

French Open semi-final 2011: Federer wins 7-6 (7/5) 6-3 3-6 7-6 (7/5).

Djokovic had enjoyed a superb start to the season but his 43-match unbeaten run came to an end with a surprise victory for Federer. It would prove a costly defeat for Djokovic, who won the other three major tournaments that year and had therefore been only two wins away from a calendar grand slam.

Australian Open semi-final 2008: Djokovic wins 7-5 6-3 7-6 (7/5).

This result marked a shift in the balance at the top of the men's game as Djokovic registered only his second career victory in six meetings with Federer, while the Swiss failed to reach a major final for the first time since the 2005 French Open. The win inspired Djokovic, who would go on to seal his first grand slam title and rubber stamp his arrival among the elite.

Additional reporting by PA and Reuters