Something about the lawns of London bring out the best in Australian veteran Lleyton Hewitt and he gave a glimpse of the grasscourt arts to beat Juan Martin del Potro in Friday's quarterfinals of the Aegon Championships.
The 32-year-old mixed skidding slices, sharp volleys and accurate serving to keep powerful third seed Del Potro under wraps in a 6-2, 2-6, 6-2 victory on a sun-splashed centre court at Queen's Club, ending the match at a gallop.
The former Wimbledon champion and world number one and four-times Queen's Club winner will face Croatia's Marin Cilic in the last four after the defending champion beat second seed Tomas Berdych 7-5, 7-6 (7-4).
Top seed Andy Murray continued his quest for a third Queen's title with a 6-4, 7-6 (7-3) defeat of Germany's Benjamin Becker.
Federer in final
World number three Roger Federer edged closer to his first title of the season when he beat defending champion Tommy Haas 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 at the Halle Open in Germany on Saturday to book a spot in Sunday's final.
The 31-year-old Swiss looked sharp on the grass court after an erratic start in what was a rematch of last year's final as he prepares for his title defence at Wimbledon this month.
Federer, five-time champion at Halle, will play either Frenchman Richard Gasquet or Russian Mikhail Youzhny who contest the other semifinal later on Saturday.
Hesh-Bopanna in semis
Indian pair of Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna made the semifinals of the men’s doubles posting a 7-6 (7-5), 4-6, 10-4 victory over British combo of Colin Fleming and Jonathan Marray.
The Indians will take on the top seeded American brothers Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan in the last four stage.
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