Federer, Nadal resume rivalry in Toronto

TORONTO (AFP) - Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal resume their rivalry on the North American stage on Monday as the summer crush of hardcourt events begins with the Toronto Masters.

With the Beijing Olympics starting August 8, the schedule is packed-out, with the Canadian event the first meeting between the world's top two since Federer lost to Nadal in their Wimbledon title epic.

Arriving with a decidedly lower profile is Serbia's defending champion Novak Djokovic, whose recent months on court have been a frustration as the big two pull ahead into a class of their own.

Nadal should be rested and refreshed after winning the most dramatic final in modern Wimbledon history.

The Spanish world number two has relaxed at home on Mallorca while Federer has been left to fret over the possibility of losing his world number one spot over the next few weeks.