Federer will now meet two-time Masters winner Lleyton Hewitt in the finale to the 2004 season after the Australian defused the hard-hitting American Andy Roddick 6-3, 6-2.

The final will give the fired up Hewitt one last chance at revenge over his Swiss rival, who has claimed victories in all five of their meetings this season, including a straight sets demolition in the final of the U.S. Open.

The form player coming into the $4.45 million season ending tournament with back-to-back Masters wins in Paris and Madrid, Safin might have hoped to have the edge on Federer who is playing his first event in almost month after straining his left thigh muscle.

Coached by Federer's former mentor Peter Lundgren, Safin might have also hoped for some valuable inside information.

But if Safin did have any tips they did not work against the 23-year-old Swiss, who has quickly returned to the sublime form that carried him to three Grand Slam titles this season and 10 tournament wins.

Certainly the time off did not dull any of Federer's competitive edge which shone through in a gripping tie-break, the Swiss finally securing a victory on his eighth match point when Safin sent his return long.