By Chris Oddo | Saturday, July 12, 2014

 

Lleyton Hewitt and Ivo Karlovic raced past a pair of first-time semifinalists in Newport to set up an old-school final.

Photo Source: AP

First-time semifinalists Jack Sock and Sam Groth were outfoxed—and outserved—by experienced veterans Lleyton Hewitt and Ivo Karlovic in Newport on Saturday.

Bastad: Sousa, Cuevas Reach Final | Stuttgart: Fognini Flummoxed | Bucharest: Halep Holds Court | Bad Gastein: American Qualifier Shocks Errani

On a day where five of the game’s legends were inducted at the International Tennis Hall of Fame, another legend reached his 46th career final in the second semifinal, as Lleyton Hewitt thumped 21-year-old Jack Sock, 6-1, 6-2 in one hour.

Sock, who had saved 17 of 18 break point opportunities en route to the semis, was up against too much returning prowess in the feisty Aussie.

"I felt pretty confident going in with my ball-striking," said Hewitt. "I was able to nullify [Sock's] biggest weapons—his serve and forehand—right from the start."

The 33-year-old Hewitt earned 13 break points against the hard-serving American and converted on a pair in each set to earn a chance to bid for his 30th career title in Sunday’s final.

If he’s successful, Hewitt will join Roger Federer (79), Rafael Nadal (64) and Novak Djokovic (45) as one of only four active ATP players to have reached the 30-title mark at the ATP level.

He’ll face a familiar foe in the final in Ivo Karlovic. Karlovic has won four of five previous decisions against Hewitt, including all three on grass.

In Saturday’s second semifinal, the 35-year-old Croatian took down hard-serving Sam Groth of Australia, 6-4, 6-4, to reach his 11th career ATP final.

"It was a difficult match because [Groth] serves unbelievably," said Karlovic, who was actually out-aced 10-9 in the 65-minute affair. "I was lucky enough to take my opportunities and win."