No. 2-ranked Rafael Nadal, runner-up to Federer the last two years, beat No. 17 Mihhail Youzhny 6-3, 6-3, 6-1.
Hewitt, the last man to win the Wimbledon title before the top-seeded Federer, was ousted 7-6 (7), 6-2, 6-4 on Monday.
Federer extended his winning streak on grass to 63 matches and 38 in a row at the All England Club. Federer, who served 21 aces, has now beaten his Australian rival in 12 consecutive matches.
Federer, who hasn’t lost a set while chasing his sixth straight title, was in complete command against Hewitt after scraping through the first-set tiebreaker. At 7-all, Federer mis-hit a backhand and the ball was ruled wide, but a replay showed it hit the sideline and the point was replayed. Federer then hit a backhand winner for 8-7, and an ace gave him the set.
Hewitt, the 2002 Wimbledon champion whose career has been slowed by a chronic hip injury, went 0-8 on break points.
“I saw Lleyton struggling with his hip a little bit,” Federer said. “That first set tiebreaker really put me on the winning streak and after that I played consistently well.”
Hewitt, who said he’s not sure if he’ll play in the Beijing Olympics or U.S. Open because of his hip troubles, praised Federer’s serve.
“He hit every line out there today,” the Australian said. “That’s why he’s the best player around, especially on this surface. Serve is so important. He hit the target every time.”
Federer will next face the last player to beat him on grass and at Wimbledon — Croatian Mario Ancic, who won in the first round in 2002. Ancic came from two sets down Monday to beat Fernando Verdasco 3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 13-11. The final set alone lasted 1 hour, 35 minutes.
“I completely underestimated him back in 2002,” Federer said. “I was a little shellshocked and didn’t know what happened to me. What it taught me was not to underestimate any opponent.”
No. 2-ranked Rafael Nadal, runner-up to Federer the last two years, overcame an injury scare in the second game of the match and beat Mikhail Youzhny 6-3, 6-3, 6-1.
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