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LONDON, July 10 (UPI) -- It was more or less business as usual at Wimbledon Friday, as the top two men's players advanced to Sunday's final -- which will be a rematch of last year's Championships. Top-seeded and world No. 1 Novak Djokovic dispatched Frenchman Richard Gasquet in straight sets on Centre Court Friday, 7-6 (2), 6-4, 6-4 -- cutting short Gasquet's second Wimbledon semifinal and dismissing his dream of winning a Grand Slam title, at least for now.
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In the other men's semifinal, Roger Federer also needed just three sets to oust Britain's beloved hometown ace Andy Murray, 7-5, 7-5, 6-4.
Djokovic, of Serbia, will face the seven-time Swiss Wimbledon champion Sunday for the title -- again. The pair also squared off for the tournament's title last summer, in a five-set thriller ultimately taken by Djokovic, 6-7 (7), 6-4, 7-6 (4), 5-7, 6-4.
"This is the tournament that got me going to play tennis and inspired me to become a professional athlete and to dream big," Djokovic said after the match. "Last year was even more special because I won against the greatest player of all-time."
"I tried to be aggressive. Really, I tried my best," Gasquet said. "It's a great tournament for me, to be in the semis just to lose to Novak.
"It's very nice for me, I did my best. Of course I'm really happy with the way I played and the way I finished the tournament."
Gasquet's defeat leaves him to continue his search for an elusive Grand Slam tennis title. This year's performance, a 2007 semifinal appearance at Wimbledon, and a semifinal appearance at the 2013 U.S. Open are the closest the Frenchman has come to a major title.
Murray shared in Gasquet's disappointment. In 2012, he won tennis' Olympic gold medal on the Wimbledon grounds and won the tournament itself a year later. He has yet to replicate that success at any major tournament, though -- despite the fact he has advanced to at least the quarterfinal round in every Grand Slam tournament since his Wimbledon triumph. He appeared in the Australian Open final in January -- where, once again, he fell victim to Djokovic.
"He's a great sportsman, he's a great great tennis player," Murray said of Federer after the match. "It's tough."
Federer, who is seeded second at the Wimbledon Championships, would capture his record eighth tournament title if he wins Sunday. He is currently tied with American Pete Sampras at seven for most men's singles titles at Wimbledon.
"I don't really think of the match, which we played against each other last year. I just remember it was unbelievably thrilling," Federer said. "It's always a big occasion."
Djokovic has won Wimbledon twice, in 2011 and 2014. Federer won the tournament every year between 2003 and 2007 and again in 2009 and 2012. Both have 25 Grand Slam titles and nine Wimbledon championships between them.
"It's the finals of Wimbledon. It's the most important match that any tennis player can have," Djokovic said. "I'm going to get myself prepared."
The final pits a Serb against a Swiss. No American men advanced beyond this year's quarterfinal round. In fact, American men's players have been conspicuously absent from the list of Wimbledon champions for more than a decade. Pete Sampras was the last to hoist the gold trophy in 2000. Andy Roddick appeared in three Wimbledon finals, in 2004, 2005 and 2009, but failed to win any of them.
"If Roger serves well ... he'll give himself a great opportunity to win that match," Murray said.
"It should be a fantastic match."
