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BRISBANE, Australia -- Roger Federer and Lleyton Hewitt earned three-set victories on Saturday to set up a meeting in the Brisbane International final, renewing a rivalry that stretches back to the last millennium. Federer beat No. 8-seeded Jeremy Chardy 6-3, 6-7 (3), 6-3 in a semifinal featuring just two service breaks, immediately after Hewitts 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 win over second-seeded Kei Nishikori of Japan. The pair of 32-year-old former No. 1s have met 26 times dating back to Hewitts win at Lyon in 1999. Federer leads their head-to-head record 18-8, including 16 wins in their last 17 matches, and has 17 Grand Slam titles to Hewitts two. "We go way back," Federer said. "My rivalry with him was pretty intense. Never nasty or anything, but just good matches. "Were total opposite from one another the way we play. ... I think thats why its always an interesting matchup for both of us." Hewitt is coming back from long-term foot and toe injuries, is ranked in the 60s and is into his first final on home soil since losing the Australian Open decider to Marat Safin in 2005 -- that last time he went beyond the semifinals at a major. The last time they met in a final, Hewitt broke Federers streak of 15 wins in head-to-heads with a comeback victory in three sets at Halle in 2010. That was the last of Hewitts 28 career titles. Federer has won 77 titles, the last being at Halle last year. "You want to play against the best players, and obviously Roger and I have a good history and a lot of tough matches in the past in slams and Davis Cups and everything," Hewitt said. "Were the same age. We grew up together. Hes a great guy. I have the upmost respect for him, not only as a player but for what he does off the court as well." Hewitt handled the heat better than his Japanese opponent as the temperatures topped 104 F (40 C), and his grinding style paid dividends as the match extended to 2 1/2 hours. He "I love a battle," said Hewitt, who won the U.S. Open in 2001 and Wimbledon in 2002 and spent 80 weeks at No. 1 before Federer assumed the top ranking and held onto it for 4 1/2 years. "Mentally this is a major win to have come back and gone the distance." Federer said he struggled against Hewitt earlier in his career before getting on top in the rivalry. Now both married with kids, theyre occasional practice partners and get on well. Both players have reflected on a Davis Cup semifinal between Australia and Switzerland at Rod Laver Arena in 2003 as the turning point in their rivalry, and in Federers career. Hewitt rallied from two sets and a break down to win that match, but it still changed Federers mindset for the better. "I was ... serving for the match, ended up losing 6-1 in the fifth," Federer recalled Saturday. "It really proved to me that I could play great tennis not just for a set, two sets, but three sets or maybe even longer against the toughest guys out there. "And for me to be able to not just do it tennis-wise but physically and mentally gave me the big belief that I could hang with the best -- then I went on a run like I did." . Mark Van Guilder, Austin Watson and Colton Sissons also scored for the Admirals (22-13-10), who are 2-0-2 in their last four outings, while Roussel tacked on an assist for a two-point night. Greg Pateryn scored once for the Bulldogs (20-22-4), who lost their fifth straight contest, and also assisted on Gabriel Dumonts goal. .com) - Cincinnati Reds pitcher Mat Latos had an arthroscopic procedure performed on his right elbow last week, the teams official site reported Wednesday. http://www.nuggetsproshop.com/Malik-Bea ... ts-Jersey/. -- Scottie Wilbekin sat on the bench for the final minute, holding a bag of ice against his left knee. . "Right now were kind of looking at him at the end of the rotation right now," said pitching coach Pete Walker. "Not indicative of how hes doing or how hes feeling. Its just, it seems like the spot we want him right now. . Weise will have his hearing with the NHL head office over the phone, while the league has requested an in-person hearing with Kassian. Oilers centre Sam Gagner suffered a broken jaw after getting hit with a high stick from Kassian in Edmontons 5-2 win.Simoni Lawrence is leaving the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The 25-year-old linebacker is expected to sign with the Minnesota Vikings in the coming days, according to TSNs Matthew Scianitti. Lawrence tweeted out a message of thanks to the Ticats on Sunday. In the tweet Lawrence expressed his gratitude to various members of the team, staff and community, finishing the message with: "I have been blessed to have had a chancee to spend a season with such a great organization.dddddddddddd. This was not an easy choice for my family and me, who loved the atmosphere in Hamilton. Thank you Ticat Nation! "Eat them raw." GOD BLESS." Lawrence has signed with a number of NFL clubs in the past, including the St. Louis Rams, Philadelphia Eagles, Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He has never appeared in an NFL game. ' ' '