Lleyton Hewitt conjured up visions of one of the great Davis Cup fight backs to return from the dead and propel Australia into the cup final.

Playing in "a dream" with memories of Pat Cash's 1986 heroics to guide him, Hewitt staged an astonishing comeback to beat Switzerland's Roger Federer 5-7 2-6 7-6 (7-4) 7-5 6-1.

The victory gave Australia an unbeatable 3-1 lead after it won the doubles.

In the final singles rubber, Todd Woodbridge was forced to retire injured against Michel Kratochvi after losing the first set 6-4, leaving the final tie score at 3-2.

The Australians will now face either Spain or Argentina, with the chance to lay to rest the ghosts of the disastrous 2001 final loss to France.

Hewitt was punch-drunk after a two-set assault from Federer, who served for the match at 5-3 in the third set.

But the Australian was saved from defeat by memories of Pat Cash, who single-handedly won the 1986 Davis Cup final for Australia.

Staggered early by feisty little Swede Mikael Pernfors at Kooyong, Cash drew on reserves of patriotic fervour to fight back and win after being two sets to love down in the first reverse singles.

Hewitt said that after losing the first two sets he called for inspiration on the Cash classic, a match he has viewed many, many times.

"I've lost count - I know every single shot in that match," Hewitt said.

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