Newz Forum: OTHER: TENNIS: Hewitt earns berth in Cincy final

Mason, OH (Sports Network) - Australian Lleyton Hewitt earned a berth in Sunday's final of the $2.45 million Western & Southern Financial Group Masters with a straight-set victory over Tommy Robredo on Saturday.

The 10th-seeded Hewitt needed just 54 minutes to dispose of his Spanish opponent, 6-3, 6-2. Hewitt avenged a loss to Robredo in the third round of last year's French Open and will be making his first appearance in a Masters Series final this year.

Hewitt, who is in search of his third victory of 2004 and first since February, will meet the winner of Saturday's other semifinal between Americans Andy Roddick and Andre Agassi in Sunday's championship match.

The second-seeded Roddick, who is attempting to become only the third player to successfully defend his title at the Cincinnati Masters, reached the round of four with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over German Tommy Haas on Friday.

Roddick has won 25 of his last 27 matches and is looking to advance to his fifth straight final. His only losses during that span came in the Wimbledon title match and last week's Canada Masters Series final, both against Swiss world No. 1 Roger Federer.

Meanwhile, the 11th-seeded Agassi, who is 4-1 lifetime versus Roddick, advanced to the semifinals with a victory over fourth-seeded Spaniard Carlos Moya on Friday.

The legendary Agassi, who is chasing his first ATP singles title since Houston in April 2003, improved to 29-10 in this tournament, having won back-to-back titles in 1995-96.

This marks the seventh of nine Masters Series tournaments this year, with the winner set to take home $400,000.