The 23rd-ranked Capriati, on a comeback after tumbling out of the top 100 in 1998, advanced to the final by beating No. 5 Mary Pierce in the semifinals in the exhibition tournament.

``I couldn't feel much better. It is great. I hope I can repeat it and beat her in a Grand Slam now,'' Capriati said after her first win over Hingis.

In a match filled with 18 service breaks, both players stayed on the baseline.

Capriati had the opportunity to wrap up the first set, leading 5-2. But she dropped her service game twice as Hingis fought back to 6-6 before Capriati won the tiebreak.

She then lost her next four service games as the 19-year-old Hingis won the second set.

Capriati, 23, began poorly in the deciding set by trailing 3-1. But she recovered her composure to break Hingis in the sixth and eighth games and then served out the match for the victory.

``All the hard work at home is paying off. I'm pretty happy with my form now, but I'm going to take it one tournament at a time and not look too far ahead,'' Capriati said.

Hingis said the defeat was a good wake-up call.

''It is better to lose here than in Australia,'' Hingis said. Both players left after the tournament for Sydney, Australia, where they will play in an event prior to the Australian Open next week.

The tournament was sponsored by Watson's Water.