BERLIN: World number two Roger Federer closed in on his sixth Halle Open title with a tough 7-6 6-4 win over local favourite Philipp Petzschner in the semi-finals in Germany on Saturday.

Federer, knocked off the number one spot by Rafael Nadal this week, will meet Lleyton Hewitt in the final after the Australian disposed of another German, Benjamin Becker, 6-7 7-6 6-2.

"Philipp was not far away from winning," said the Swiss. "He played great from the beginning and the first set could have gone either way.

"I didn`t know whether he was already playing his best tennis or whether he could improve further so I was a bit scared."

It will be a first final for Hewitt since having hip surgery at the beginning of the year.

The former Wimbledon champion also found the going tough against world number 52 Becker. Hewitt had the only break point of the first set but failed to take it.

However, Hewitt had found his rhythm by the decider and sealed the match in two hours 23 minutes.

"It`s fantastic to be in a final again after a hip operation," said the Australian, playing the grasscourt event for the first time.

Federer was looking forward to his 25th meeting with Hewitt.

"We have known each other for years and once played doubles together at Wimbledon. I always looked up to him," said the Swiss. "It is something special to play against him."

BDST:1135hrs, June 13, 2010
CG