Hewett won 6-3, 6-4 to end the Japanese star's quest for an 11th title in Melbourne.

The Briton is a four-time Grand Slam singles winner and Paralympic silver medallist.

Belgian Joachim Gérard - who Hewett beat in the Rio 2016 semi-finals - awaits in the final, and will be seeking a first Grand Slam title.

Gérard came from behind to beat reigning Paralympic champion Gordon Reid 4-6, 7-5, 6-3.

In the quad singles, home favourite Dylan Alcott's quest for a seventh Australian Open title remains on track following a 6-4, 6-3 win against Niels Vink.

Another Dutch player, Sam Schröder, awaits in the final, after beating Britain's second seed Andy Lapthorne 6-2, 6-3.

Schröder, 21, beat Alcott in last year's US Open final, but lost to the Australian at the French Open.

The women's wheelchair singles final will be contest by the top two seeds - Yui Kamiji and Diede de Groot.

Kamiji, the defending champion, was taken to three sets by Kgothatso Montjane, but prevented the South African from reaching a maiden Grand Slam final.

Japan's Kamiji won a topsy-turvy semi-final 6-1, 5-7, 6-0.

The Netherlands' De Groot beat Kamiji's compatriot Momoko Ohtani 6-2, 6-4.

Wheelchair doubles finals are scheduled tomorrow, ahead of the singles finals on Wednesday (February 17)