rogerfederer.com - Another attempt for title no. 50

Another attempt for title no. 50

Roger battled into the final of the Cincinnati Masters as Lleyton Hewitt saved three match points before falling 6-3, 6-7 (7-9), 7-6 (7-1) Saturday in a dramatic battle.

"This was a classic match. It's always tough stuff between us," Roger said. "Playing Lleyton makes me nervous. He makes you miss so much, I'm happy to to escape with this win."

It took a battle of two hours, 35 minutes for Roger to advance in a sweat with 18 aces. He produced 46 winners, 36 unforced errors and broke Hewitt three times. "I needed those aces. It was good to get some freebies once in awhile. He is so aggressive, and this is a quick court." Roger had to battle back from a break down in the final set to fend off a rejuvenated Lleyton Hewitt.

Holder of the 2005 Cincinnati title, Roger is keen to crack the career 50-win mark after being denied last weekend by Novak Djokovic in the Montreal final. "To earn my 50th would be really special. I just missed it last week by three or four points. I'll give everything I have to get it here." Roger now holds a 13-7 record over Hewitt and will meet either Nikolaj Dawidenko or James Blake in the final.