Roddick battles through

Hewitt, showing the determination and guts which helped him to the title at the All England Club in 2002, refused to lie down, twice coming from a set down before the 26-year-old American finally ended his challenge.

"I think there's a lot of respect there, we used to get into it a bit when we were younger. I think we've earned each other's respect," Roddick said in a courtside interview.

"Now we're just a couple of old married dudes, maybe we've grown up a little bit."

Roddick looked on course for a straightforward victory after taking the opening set in 27 minutes, but Hewitt - roared on by the green and gold clad Fanatics on a sun-kissed Court One - saved three set points in the second set tiebreak before levelling the match 12-10.

Roddick restored his lead with a 7-1 win in the third set tie-break but again Hewitt, who at one point whacked his left thigh with racket in an attempt to shake off a niggle, came back to take it to a decider.

The American, a two-time finalist here, made the crucial break in game nine of the decider and held serve when Hewitt dumped a forehand volley long to claim victory after a three hour 50 minute shootout.

He will play third seed Andy Murray for a place in Sunday's final, after the Scot eased past Spanish wildcard Juan Carlos Ferrero 7-5 6-3 6-2.