Hewitt was buffeted by the Spanish storm and when he was broken in the final game of the decider it looked all over for the 21-year-old Australian.
But, as he has shown so often in the past, Hewitt is never more dangerous than when he is down, exhausted or counted out.
Some phenomenal retrieving and aggressive returning culminated in a forehand drive volley, a break back and an icy stare at his opponent. Ferrero was not fazed, though, and broke back immediately before serving out for a 3-1 lead.
Hewitt held and then rocked the Spaniard with a break to get back on level terms.
He never looked back, nosing ahead on his serve and Ferrero faltered while trailing 5-4. Hewitt racked up two match points on the Spaniard's serve. He missed the first but on the second he rolled a topspin lob over Ferrero for victory.
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