Lleyton Hewitt blunted the world's fastest serve and kept a nation's hopes alive for a home Australian Open champion by beating American Andy Roddick 3-6, 7-6, 7-6, 6-1 to reach Sunday's men's singles final.

Hewitt will face twice runner-up Marat Safin for the silverware in the tournament's centenary year after Safin beat Roger Federer on Thursday.

Riding a wave of patriotism, former Wimbledon and U.S. Open champion Hewitt absorbed a total of 31 aces before mowing down Roddick and becoming the first local man to reach the final since Pat Cash lost to Mats Wilander in 1988.

The last Australian to win the men's singles was Mark Edmondson in 1976.

Second seed Hewitt fell to his knees when Roddick floated a shot long on match-point and now stands one match away from fulfilling his greatest dream.