Hingis, the No. 1 player in the world, won her quarterfinal match against Dechy, 6-2, 6-4. She earned her first career singles title at this event in 1996 and repeated the following year, but lost in the quarterfinals here last year.

Just over a week after the Swiss native turned 19, Hingis is on the verge of reaching her 10th final of the season. She has won five times this season, most recently the du Maurier Open in late August.

The path to victory here was made easier Thursday as second seed and Wimbledon champion Lindsay Davenport withdrew due to a left wrist injury. In addition, U.S. Open champ Serena Williams, the third seed, was upset by defending champion Sandrine Testud in the second round.

Fourth-seeded Mary Pierce of France fought off sixth seed Barbara Schett of Germany to move into the semifinals, emerging with a 7-6 (7-1), 7-6 (7-2) victory. The champion here in 1993, Pierce is a three-time finalist this year but has not won since her triumph at Luxembourg last October.

Pierce moved into the semifinals to face local favorite Anke Huber, the winner here in 1991 and 1994. The native of Bruchsal, Germany was the beneficiary of Davenport's departure, advancing today with a walkover.

Hingis needs to knock off Testud, the defending champ, to reach the final. She advanced opposite Hingis thanks to a 6-4, 6-3 triumph over Sabine Applemans of Belgium.

First prize is $80,000.