Federer goes for number six

HALLE, Germany (AP):

Top-ranked Roger Federer will seek his sixth Gerry Weber Open title against Lleyton Hewitt today.

The No.1-seeded Swiss beat Germany's Philipp Petzschner 7-6 (3), 6-4 in a semi-final yesterday to win his 29th consecutive match at the tournament in Halle, Germany.

Eighth-seeded Hewitt beat Germany's Benjamin Becker 6-7 (4), 7-6 (3), 6-2 to reach his first final of 2010.

Federer dropped his first game on serve all week.

"It was an interesting match for me to play him (Petzschner) for the first time," Federer said. "It was not easy, but I found a way, which was great."

Federer said he was looking forward to Hewitt.

"It's always special playing him, we go way back," Federer said. "He made the breakthrough so early in his career that I looked up to Lleyton and wondered how could he be so good so early."

Hewitt needed almost 2 1/2 hours to see off home favourite Becker. The Australian looked strong in a tense first set but dropped his serve in the tiebreaker.

Played clean

"I don't think I did all that much wrong in the first set," Hewitt said. "I played very clean on my serve and I had the only breaks, but I did not hit the targets so well in the tiebreak."

Federer, who lost the No.1 spot to Rafael Nadal, insists he is still motivated to get back to the top.

"I love the game and don't overplay," Federer said. "It's easy to get motivated. If I play well, then I will get to number one again.

"The important thing is to play well here and in Wimbledon. First, I have got to win tomorrow."

Hewitt has lost his last 15 matches against Federer.