Hingis, the No. 1 player in the world, dropped a first set tiebreaker before rallying for a 6-7 (5-7), 6-2, 6-4 victory over defending champion Sandrine Testud of France.

Just over a week after turning 19, Hingis reached her 10th final of the season. She has won five times this season, most recently the du Maurier Open in late August. 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.

Pierce moved on with a 6-1, 7-6 (7-2) victory over local favorite Anke Huber, the winner here in 1991 and 1994. Huber, a native of Bruchsal, Germany reached the semifinals when Wimbledon champion and second seed Lindsay Davenport withdrew because of a left wrist injury.

The champion here in 1993, Pierce is now a four-time finalist this year but has not won since her triumph at Luxembourg last October.

Not only did Daveport's departure clear the way for both Hingis and Pierce, but the path to the finals was also made easier when U.S. Open champ Serena Williams, the third seed, was upset by Testud in the second round.

First prize is $80,000.