Hewitt is still looking for his first title in 2003

Lleyton Hewitt reached his first final of the year thanks to a 6-2 6-4 victory over Taylor Dent.

The world number one will now play Australian Davis Cup team-mate Mark Philippoussis, who got past Mariano Zabaleta of Argentina 6-3 7-6 (10-8).

Hewitt, who has yet to drop a set this week, thrived in the fast conditions under cloudless skies.

"When I'm match-tough and match-hard and get that competitive spirit going, I can get on some rolls like I did last year," said the world number one.

"I won San Jose, Indian Wells and made the semi-finals in Miami - it can happen for me."

The Australian took a 4-2 lead in the opening set against his young American opponent, whose father is former Australian player Phil Dent.

Closing out the set was a formality but Dent gave him a harder time in the second set.

He broke to lead 3-1, but that burst of inspiration was short-lived, with Hewitt breaking straight back.

The pair traded games to 4-4 before Hewitt broke once again to set up victory.

Philippoussis, who finished 2000 ranked 11th, has battled knee injuries for the past two seasons and entered the week ranked 90th.

"You work hard and you start playing well, and then you get injured," Philippoussis said.

"I feel like I'm always playing catch up tennis and starting again. Now, the hard work is starting to pay off."

Delray Beach International, Florida

Fourth-seeded Jan-Michael Gambill of the United States out-lasted compatriot Robert Kendrick to reach the final.

Gambill, who won the second of his two career titles at this tournament in 2001, started to cramp after playing for nearly two hours but held on to win 6-3 2-6 7-6 (7-5).

His next opponent will be American Mardy Fish, who upset third seed Marcelo Rios of Chile 6-3 6-4.

It was a good week for 162nd-ranked Kendrick, who won the first three ATP Tour matches of his career during the tournament.