World number one Roger Federer will play against Pete Sampras in an exhibition match in Macao in November, announced International Management Group (IMG) in Hong Kong on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old Swiss Federer will take on the 36-year-old former world No. 1 in a match on Nov. 24.

The two world top players only faced each other once on the ATP Tour when Federer won 3-1 at Wimbledon in 2001.

"Pete invited Roger to his home early this year and Roger stayed there for two days." said Nick Freyer, senior vice president of IMG Tennis Asia, "They played tennis together and the results were close. So they decided to play again publicly."

"For us to play each other while I am still young enough to play very competitively is truly special," said Sampras in a statement. "I am not playing for the title, I am playing for interest."

"To play against Pete is a dream come true," Federer said, also in a statement. "I am so excited to play Pete."

(Xinhua News Agency May 24, 2007)