Lleyton Hewitt booked Australia's place in this year's Davis Cup final on Sunday as he beat Sweden's Thomas Johansson before a vociferous Sydney crowd.

The Aussies, who lost to Spain in last year's final, can now prepare for a Melbourne showpiece against France at the end of November.

The French qualified for the final when they defeated Holland on Saturday.

Australia beat France 3-2 in Nice to lift the Cup in 1999 and US Open champion Hewitt made sure of a rematch by proving too strong for Johansson, running out a 7-6 5-7 6-2 6-1 winner.

Hewitt's victory gave the Australians an unassailable 3-1 lead in their semi-final clash.

Johansson came back from two sets down to beat Pat Rafter in Friday's opening match but he was unable to repeat his heroics against Hewitt, who was playing competitively for the first time since his win at Flushing Meadows.

The 20-year-old Australian, who beat Jonas Bjorkman on Friday, sealed his second win with an ace after two hours and 40 minutes.

Hewitt is revelling in his status as a grand slam winner, and he said: "I didn't play my best tennis in my first match and I fought through that.

"That's going to happen and there's going to be times like that.

"That's when the best players in the world stand up, and to have won both of my matches is something to be proud of.

"It's not going to get much better than playing a Davis Cup final in Melbourne."

Rafter then defeated Bjorkman 6-3 6-1 in the dead rubber to wrap up a 4-1 win.

France were sure of their place in the final after winning the two opening singles matches and then Saturday's doubles in Rotterdam.

There was small consolation for Holland on Sunday, with Sjeng Schalken edging to a 7-6 (8/6) 7-6 (7/4) win over Arnaud Clement before Jan Siemerink followed up with a 6-4 6-4 defeat of Fabrice Santoro as they reduced the losing deficit to 3-2.

French captain Guy Forget warned that the final, to be held at Melbourne Park the home of the Australian Open will be no stroll for the Aussies.

He said: "I can't wait to play that match. We're going to give the best we have."