PARIS (Ticker) - Pulling together before preparing to beat each other, Martina Hingis and Mary Pierce warmed up for their French Open semifinal showdown by joining forces today to beat Conchita Martinez and Patricia Tarabini in doubles action.

In an odd scene, Hingis and Pierce spent the day on the same side of the net frolicking in the Paris sun, exchanging smiles and compliments before trading volleys and drop shots in a far less friendly fashion on Thursday.

World number one Hingis and French hope Pierce have looked like a winning partnership, but it remains to be seen if their teamwork and friendship can survive what is promising to be an intense fight.

When both women step on the court on Thursday, they will be looking to exorcise Roland Garros demons.

Pierce, a finalist in 1994, will still try to become the first Frenchwoman since Francoise Durr in 1967 to win on the red clay and Hingis is looking to claim the one title missing from her collection.

"I'll prepare the same way I prepare for every other match," said Pierce, when asked how she'll prepare for her doubles partner. "I practice, I eat well, I prepare my clothes, I wash them.

"I'm not thinking that it's going to be a semifinal with Martina. When I go onto the court, I don't look on the other side of the net. I only look at my side of the court. I concentrate on my game, what I have to do...nothing else."

Despite her French passport and having reached the final in 1994, losing to Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario, the Canadian born-American raised Pierce has always had a strained relationship with the demanding Parisian fans.

The image-conscious Parisians, who flock to Roland Garros each spring to be seen as much as see, demand a winner and Pierce, the 1995 Australian Open champion, has never quite been able to live up to their demanding standards.

In the past, Pierce has never been sure what sort of reception was awaiting her, having heard as many jeers and whistles as cheers in 11 visits to Roland Garros.

But during her quarterfinal battle with Seles, the crowd was squarely in her corner giving every indication they will be there again on Thursday.

"I love it when they support me and I want them to support me," said Pierce, who credits her improved play to laser eye surgery and a renewed faith. "It's great to have the crowd behind you.

"But it something happens and they're not supporting me, I'm not going to let it affect me. I'm just going to keep focused and play my game. That's why I say it's not important if they support me. But I can't say it's not important because it is."

Clearly, hard-hitting Pierce will need every advantage she can get against Hingis, who has beaten her 10 times in their 15 meetings including the last seven in a row without dropping a set.

Hingis can count on a less than warm welcome. The Parisians still having not forgiven the Swiss teenager for her temper-tantrum filled losing performance in last year's final to Steffi Graf.

But the unseasonably cool weather and rain at Roland Garros has bothered Hingis more than the jeers and whistles, dismissing the boos as inconsequential as she cruised through her five matches losing just one set.

"Every match is going to be difficult and either the crowd is with or against you," said Hingis. "I think the most important thing is that you're happy and confident with yourself. You don't let anyone get too many opportunities, just play your game. If it's good enough great. If not, there are other years."