Ferrero, Hewitt to battle for title

SHANGHAI, China (AP) -- Top-ranked Lleyton Hewitt beat Switzerland's Roger Federer 7-5, 5-7, 7-5 Saturday to reach the final of the season-ending Masters Cup.

Hewitt will face French Open runner-up Juan Carlos Ferrero in Sunday's final. Ferrero beat fellow Spaniard Carlos Moya 6-7 (6), 6-4, 6-4.

Hewitt, who clinched the year-end No. 1 ranking on Thursday, qualified for the semifinals when Moya beat Albert Costa on Friday.

Hewitt struggled against Federer before sealing the win on his fourth match point.

"I hate to lose," Hewitt said. "I don't know how else to put it. That competitive spirit just keeps you going.

"It was very close, which probably made it more interesting than the tennis."

Federer served for the first set at 5-3, but Hewitt broke serve and rallied by winning four straight games.