Hewitt on top of his game

Hewitt has only just recovered from chicken pox

Click here for Friday's results from San Jose

Lleyton Hewitt produced one of the most impressive serving displays of his five-year career to beat Todd Martin in the San Jose Open.

The Australian fired 16 aces on the way to a 6-3 7-5 victory which put him through to the semi-finals of the $400,000 competition.

Andre Agassi is also through to the semi-finals after beating Wayne Ferreira.

World number one Hewitt now meets fourth-seeded American Jan- Michael Gambill, who beat Australian Wayne Arthurs 7-5 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (7-4).

"He served better than almost anyone I've played," said Martin about Hewitt.

"He hit the lines with regularity and that's the most important thing we do out here.

I think Jan-Michael matches up against him better than I do

Todd Martin

"Lleyton can't hit his serve more than 120mph but when it comes down to winning, it's where you hit the ball, not how hard you hit it."

Hewitt was playing in only his third match since 15 January when he was beaten in the first round of the Australian Open while nursing chicken pox.

He said: "I've got through three tough matches and feel I've got better and better in each match.

"To be sitting here in the semi-finals is a nice place to be. I never expected to hit the ball well this week and if I come through to Sunday, it will feel terrific."

Gambill and Arthurs played a rapid-fire match, with Arthurs hitting 33 aces to 22 from Gambill.

Tough

"It's very difficult to play someone like him and I served very well," said Gambill, who has yet to be broken in three matches.

"I knew it was going to be tough. We both played high quality tennis."

Hewitt and Gambill have faced each other four times, with Gambill winning on three occasions.

"I think Jan-Michael matches up against him better than I do," Martin said. "He can take slower balls and generate more pace off them than I can."

Hewitt, who lost to Gambill at Wimbledon 2000 and in the semi-finals at Key Biscayne last year, said he did not feel that Gambill held an edge over him.

"He's a great player and generates a lot of power from the ground and on his serve, plus it's a little different playing him because he hits with two hands.

"But I feel like I've been in every match with him."

Second-seed Andre easily defeated South African Wayne Ferreira 6-4, 6-4.

Ferreira showed his frustration in the second set when he hit a spare ball towards the ceiling after being broken by Agassi.

And in the late game, third seed Andy Roddick beat fellow American James Blake 6-4 6-2.

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Friday's results from the San Jose Open:

Lleyton Hewitt (Aus - 1) beat Todd Martin (US) 6-3 7-5
Jan-Michael Gambill (US - 4) bt Wayne Arthurs (Aus) 7-5 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (7-4)
Andre Agassi (US - 2) bt Wayne Ferreira (ZA) 6-4 6-4
Andy Roddick (US - 3) beat James Blake (US) 6-4 6-2

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