Rafter books final spot

Pat Rafter claimed his first win over Hewitt

Patrick Rafter reached his third consecutive final with an impressive 6-4 6-3 victory over fellow Australian Lleyton Hewitt in the Cincinnati Masters semi-finals on Saturday.

The popular Australian, who was a losing finalist at Wimbledon last month and at Montreal last week, started the match slowly against the fifth-seeded Hewitt but soon found his form.

Hewitt raced into a 3-1 lead but from 4-2 down in the first set, Rafter won the next four games to take the set.

I always struggle a bit playing Lleyton - I'm always a bit nervous playing him

  Pat Rafter

Rafter wrapped up the match after breaking serve in the fourth game of the second set at 15-40 when Hewitt netted a forehand approach shot.

History was not on Rafter's side, considering the eighth-seed had previously lost both career encounters against Hewitt.

"I always struggle a bit playing Lleyton," Rafter said.

"For some reason I'm always a bit nervous playing him."

Rafter's opponent in the final will be the winner of the second semi-final later on Saturday between top-seeded Gustavo Kuerten of Brazil and seventh-seeded Tim Henman of Britain.