Roger Federer became one of the world's leading players in 2001, reaching two Major quarter-finals and continuing in the same style in 2002 when he claimed the first Masters 1000 title in Hamburg.
Before that, Roger grabbed the first victory over world no. 1 in Miami, beating
Lleyton Hewitt 6-3, 6-4 in the semi-final in an hour and 29 minutes. The Aussie faced nine break points and suffered one break in each set to propel the Swiss over the top and into the title match.
Roger was the more aggressive player, hitting more winners than Lleyton and earning the upper hand in the shortest and mid-range exchanges to bring the victory home. Federer grabbed a break in the second game for an early advantage and saved two break points at 2-0 to confirm the lead. Roger closed the opener with an unreturned serve in game nine for 6-3 after 37 minutes, taking a massive step towards the finish line.
Hewitt wasted a break chance in the second set's second game before Federer broke him a few minutes later and forged a 3-1 lead with four winners in game four. Lleyton saved two match points in game nine before Roger held at 5-4 to advance into the first Masters 1000 final in style.