Hewitt reaches Newport final

NEWPORT, Rhode Island: Former world number one Lleyton Hewitt reached the final of the ATP Hall of Fame Championships Saturday with a three-set victory over American Rajeev Ram.

Hewitt, a former Wimbledon and US Open champion, reached his first ATP final in more than two years with a 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 victory over former Newport champion Ram.

Hewitt, who received a wild card into the draw, was playing in his first semi-final since June 2010, when he captured the grass court title in Halle.

He next faces either defending Newport champion John Isner or American Ryan Harrison.

Top-seeded Isner advanced to the semi-finals with a victory over qualifier Izak van der Merwe, while Harrison advanced when Germany's Benjamin Becker retired with a hamstring injury trailing 6-4, 3-0 in their quarter-final.

Harrison, through to his third semi-final of the season, was seeking a first ATP tour final.

Hewitt rallied from an early break in both the first and third sets, finally wrapping up the victory in 2 hours and 21 minutes.

The 31-year-old Aussie was pleased to keep his run going on the grass courts of Newport.(AFP)