Roger Federer oozed flair and Lleyton Hewitt bristled with determination on Saturday as the duo marched into the U.S. Open final.World number one Federer, bidding to become the first man to win three Grand Slams in the same year since Swede Mats Wilander in 1988, dismissed British fifth seed Tim Henman 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.Earlier, 2001 champion Hewitt extinguished the fire of Sweden’s Joachim Johansson with a clinical display of percentage tennis to win 6-4, 7-5, 6-3. Swede Johansson, the boyfriend of Hewitt’s sister Jaslyn, took his ace tally for the tournament to 123 as he boomed 17 thunderbolts past Hewitt, but the Australian ruthlessly pounced on his opportunities when they came along. The first came as 28th seed Johansson’s forehand temporarily deserted him at 4-5, allowing Hewitt to take control. Fourth seed Hewitt was rarely threatened in the second set, biding his time before breaking Johansson in the 12th game, prompting a trademark fist pump. The former world No.1 managed a single break in the third set to wrap up a routine victory and reach his first Grand Slam final since winning Wimbledon in 2002.“It’s awkward playing somebody you know, and who you hit with regularly, but you just have to put your professional hat on when you get out there,” said Hewitt, who trained with the Swede at the family home in Adelaide last Christmas.“(Jaslyn) was going to be happy for someone and disappointed for someone no matter what. But in years to come we will probably have this situation a lot,” Hewitt told reporters.Federer was troubled initially by Henman, a player the Swiss trailed 2-6 in head-to-heads. But after clinching the first set he moved through the gears to race away from the 30-year-old Briton, who was aiming to reach his first grand slam final.“Obviously I’m really pleased to be in my first US Open final,” Australian Open and Wimbledon champion Federer said. “It’s going to be tough against Lleyton, we always have good matches, but I think I’ve won my last 10 (finals) so I hope I can keep it up.”Federer can become the first man in history to win his first four Grand Slam finals if he beats Hewitt on Sunday, and Henman said he would not be betting against the Swiss.“Federer’s playing phenomenal tennis right now,” said Henman. “I think If you take (Andy) Roddick’s serve, (Andre) Agassi’s returns, my volleys and Hewitt’s speed and tenacity, then you’ve got a good chance.” (Reuters)
