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Federer extends Halle winning streak
HALLE, Germany, (UPI) -- Roger Federer continued his Gerry Webber Open winning streak Saturday, downing Philipp Petzschner to draw Lleyton Hewitt in the Halle, Germany, finals.
Federer, seeking his sixth Halle title, ousted Petzschner 7-6 (7-3), 6-4 to win his 29th straight match at Gerry Webber Stadium since 2002.
No. 8 seed Hewitt, meanwhile, took Saturday's first match, staging a rally against Germany's Benjamin Becker to prevail 6-7 (4-7), 7-6 (7-3), 6-2.
The Australian has won two career grand slam events, including Wimbledon in 2002, but this is his first Halle appearance. In recent years Hewitt has tuned up for Wimbledon at the Queen's Club, where he has won four times.
With his win Saturday, Hewitt has gained his first final of the year and will be seeking his first championship since April 2009, when took the title of the clay court Houston event.
He and Federer will be meeting for the 25th time, with the Swiss superstar owning a 17-7 mark and carrying a 15-match winning streak against Hewitt into the Halle final.
HALLE, Germany, (UPI) -- Roger Federer continued his Gerry Webber Open winning streak Saturday, downing Philipp Petzschner to draw Lleyton Hewitt in the Halle, Germany, finals.
Federer, seeking his sixth Halle title, ousted Petzschner 7-6 (7-3), 6-4 to win his 29th straight match at Gerry Webber Stadium since 2002.
No. 8 seed Hewitt, meanwhile, took Saturday's first match, staging a rally against Germany's Benjamin Becker to prevail 6-7 (4-7), 7-6 (7-3), 6-2.
The Australian has won two career grand slam events, including Wimbledon in 2002, but this is his first Halle appearance. In recent years Hewitt has tuned up for Wimbledon at the Queen's Club, where he has won four times.
With his win Saturday, Hewitt has gained his first final of the year and will be seeking his first championship since April 2009, when took the title of the clay court Houston event.
He and Federer will be meeting for the 25th time, with the Swiss superstar owning a 17-7 mark and carrying a 15-match winning streak against Hewitt into the Halle final.
