Federer upsets Hewitt for final place

Rogerer Federer of Switzerland again found a way to upset a seemingly unbeatable opponent at one of the world's top tournaments…

Rogerer Federer of Switzerland again found a way to upset a seemingly unbeatable opponent at one of the world's top tournaments.

Rogerer Federer of Switzerland again found a way to upset a seemingly unbeatable opponent at one of the world's top tournaments.

Federer, the 12th seed, recorded six aces and a pair of service breaks on Friday, when he stunned top-seeded Lleyton Hewitt of Australia 6-3, 6-4 in the semi-finals of the 6.345 million-dollar tournament.

Federer advanced to Sunday's final, where he will face four-time and defending champion Andre Agassi.

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Earlier on Friday, the ninth-seeded American moved into the championship match when No. 31 Marcelo Rios of Chile retired with a right knee injury. Agassi dropped the first set, 6-7 (7/9), before prevailing in the second, 6-4.

Hewitt, who finished 2001 atop the ATP rankings, saw his 15-match winning streak come to end, a run that included titles at San Jose and Indian Wells in California earlier this month.

He admitted that he was wearied by a marathon three-setter against sixth-seeded Russian Marat Safin on Thursday night, but refused to use that as an excuse.

"I got off to a bad start, which hurt little bit in the end," Hewitt said. "The first game, I had a few chances, 30-alls, then second game, I was up on my serve and lost it.

"Next game, I had two break points, could have been easily up at least one break. You go down a break straightaway, it's a long way home."

Federer noted that he too was on the court on Thursday night, playing a three-set doubles match with Max Mirnyi of Belarus.

In singles, Federer hasn't conceded a set en route to the final - he hasn't even dropped his serve. He dominated Hewitt and left the court after 1hr 28min to a standing ovation.

Federer accomplished a similarly stunning feat in July, when he defeated seven-time Wimbledon champion Pete Sampras in the fourth round at the All-England club.

The 20-year-old reached his third final of the year. Federer won the Sydney title in January and was the runner-up at the Milan Indoors last month.

"He's serving well, and he's playing the big points well," Hewitt said after falling to Federer for just the second time in six career meetings. "I think he's getting more and more consistent every tournament. I think this year could be a breakthrough year for him."

In Saturday's all-American women's final, top-seeded Jennifer Capriati battles eighth-seeded Serena Williams for the 385,000-dollar winner's check.

The men's champion collects 456,000 dollars.

AFP