The physically imposing Mauresmo got back at Switzerland's Martina Hingis for a loss in the Australian open finals and for some disparaging remarks with a 2-6, 6-1, 6-3 triumph in the quarterfinals of the $520,000 Open Gaz de France.

Mauresmo, seeded sixth and playing with the raucous backing of her home crowd, had extra incentive in her match against the world's top player. A German magazine published controversial remarks by Hingis regarding Mauresmo's body and sexual orientation in January. Mauresmo is openly gay.

"It is a great win for me, beating the No. 1 in the world," Mauresmo said. "The atmosphere was electric. I have never played with such a crowd behind me in my life."

Hingis outclassed the 19-year-old Mauresmo, 6-2, 6-3, in the Australian Open final, finishing a harrowing two weeks for the French teenager. After Mauresmo beat Lindsay Davenport in Melbourne, the American also leveled harsh words, though she was quickly apologetic.

The fans gave no regard to Mauresmo's controversial side and aided her throughout the match. Hingis admitted to getting unwound by the French patriotism, comparing the crowd to that of the ultimate soccer match.

"My game fell apart," said Hingis, 18. "The crowd was unbelievable, even tough they were against me. It almost felt like the World Cup final between France and Brazil."

Hingis explained her play.

"I became slower and tired as the match wore on and Amelie controlled the match and this time I wasn't good enough," she admitted. "I needed to win in two sets against her, because she is a very dangerous player if you go to three sets. ... I think that Amelie can go very far. She knows how to finish matches because she was a former very good junior."

Mauresmo said she was better prepared for this match than the initial showdown in Australia.

"The difference between today and the Australian Open final, when I played her last, was that I learned from my mistakes," she said. "Today I knew I had to be patient and both my serve and my backhand worked really well. Today I was also mentally stronger than Martina and that was the difference in the end."

The only remaining seed in the draw is Mauresmo's semifinal opponent, third-seeded Belgian Dominique Van Roost. Van Roost, last year's runner-up, posted a 7-5, 6-0 triumph over eighth seed Elena Likhovtseva of Russia today.

The other semifinal will be a matchup of unseeded players, American Serena Williams, 17, and Frenchwoman Nathalie Dechy.

While her older sister, Venus, plays in Oklahoma City, Serena Williams secured the second semifinal appearance of her career with a 6-2, 6-3 wipeout of France's Julie Halard-Decugis, the seventh seed and 1996 champion.

Dechy managed a 6-1, 4-6, 6-1 triumph over countrywoman Amelie Cocheteux. It was the main draw debut for the 20-year-old Cocheteux.

First prize is $80,000.