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Hewitt reaches semifinals

INDIAN WELLS, Calif., March 15 (UPI) -- Top seed Lleyton Hewitt of Australia reached his second straight semifinal at the Pacific Life Open Friday, defeating Thomas Enqvist of Sweden, 6-4, 6-4.

Todd Martin, meanwhile, upset second-seeded Yevgeny Kafelnikov of Russia, 7-6 (7-5), 6-3, and moved into his first ATP semifinal in almost 18 months.

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Hewitt awaits the winner of Friday night's quarterfinal between American Pete Sampras and German Rainer Schuettler.

Martin will face No. 9 Tim Henman of Britain, who posted a 6-3, 6-2 win over Gaston Gaudio of Argentina.

Hewitt, who became youngest player to finish the year at No. 1 in the history of the men's rankings, is trying to reach his first Indian Wells final. He lost to eventual champion Andre Agassi in the final four a year ago.

The 21-year-old extended his winning streak to nine matches Friday. In his first tournament after enduring chicken pox, Hewitt captured the San Jose hardcourt title two weeks ago with a triumph over Agassi.

Hewitt, who has dropped just one set this week, beat Enqvist for the fifth time in six career encounters. After losing their first meeting in his hometown of Adelaide in 1999, Hewitt has won five in a row.

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"I just felt confident," Hewitt said. "I felt like I saw the ball extremely well out there today. I was reading his first serves pretty well. I was able to move the ball around."

On the women's side, second seed Martina Hingis of Switzerland will take on 18th seed Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia in Saturday's final.

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