So often in the past 16 years, the story has been about Lleyton Hewitt's will/fight/heart/grit/determination, and Saturday's courageous 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 semi-final victory over second seed Kei Nishikori in enervating 40-plus-degree heat at the Brisbane International ensured that, after all this time, it still is.

"I love the battle," a sweat-soaked said Hewitt later. "You do all the hard work, mate, you don't come out here just to go through the motions. This is a true test out here, it's a one-on-one battle and that's what I love about it. When I do finally retire, you're retired for an awfully long time, so I'm trying to squeeze (out) absolutely everything I possibly can."

Indian summer .... Lleyton Hewitt after his semi-final win in Brisbane. Credit:Getty Images

Taking the idea of an Indian summer to a ridiculous extreme, Hewitt qualified for his 45th career decider, the previous final having come last July in Newport, Rhode Island. In Australia, his most recent tournament decider was against Marat Safin at the 2005 Australian Open; since then, surgeries endured have exceeded titles won, but the 32-year-old is fit and healthy again and closing in on a top-50 return.

Not that Hewitt plays for the rankings, but a healthy one does make life more comfortable, and opportunities less wildcard-reliant. For the former No.1, now No.60, it is all about the majors, and Davis Cup, and both are approaching: the Australian Open from Monday week and the Davis Cup world group tie in France straight afterwards.