LONDON, June 18: Lleyton Hewitt ended a 17-month title drought when he beat James Blake 6-4, 6-4 to win the Stella Artois Championships for a record-equalling fourth time on Sunday.

Hewitt outfoxed the big-hitting American, who had shocked triple defending champion Andy Roddick in the semi-finals, to join an illustrious club of men who have won a quartet of Queen's Club titles in the professional era.

Only John McEnroe and Boris Becker have won the pre-Wimbledon grasscourt event four times.

It was Hewitt's first title since he won at Sydney in January 2005 and avenged his defeat by Blake in the Las Vegas final in March.

Hewitt, who also won at Queen's Club in 2000, 2001 and 2002, broke serve in the first game and controlled the match from that moment on.

He sealed both the first and second sets with big first serves that careered off Blake's racket and celebrated with a trademark holler of “C'mon!”.

The Australian's ability to combine sliced returns and with accurate drives meant Blake could find no rhythm and Hewitt completed the formalities of a 66-minute victory with little fuss.

Results:

Saturday’s semifinals:

5-James Blake (US) beat 3-Andy Roddick (US) 7-5 6-4; 8-Lleyton Hewitt (Australia) beat Tim Henman (Britain) 6-3 3-6 6-2

FEDERER EQUALS RECORD