Reuters
 
Kuala Lumpur, May 24: World number one Roger Federer will play Pete Sampras in an exhibition match in Kuala Lumpur in November to celebrate Malaysia's 50th year of independence, organisers said on Wednesday.

Swiss Federer, who trails the American's record of 14 grand slam titles by four, will take on the 35-year-old former world number one in a match billed as the 'Clash of the Times'.

"I hold the record for most Grand Slam titles ever but I am confident that Roger will break that record some day," Sampras said in a statement.

"For us to play each other while I am still young enough to play very competitively is truly special.”

"Having this take place in Asia is remarkable for tennis," he said.

Federer and Sampras faced each other just once on the ATP Tour when the Swiss won a five-set match in the fourth round at Wimbledon in 2001 to end the American's 31-match unbeaten run at the All England Club.

"To play against Pete is a dream come true," Federer said in a statement. "I am so excited to play Pete and I am really looking forward to visiting Malaysia for the first time."

The exhibition match on Nov 22 is part of the Merdeka (Independence) Tennis Challenge that includes the inaugural Malaysia Open Championship and a second-tier Challenger tour event.