PARIS (AP) -- The four women fighting for a place in the French Open final won't need to study videos to know their rivals' strengths and weaknesses.

They're all regulars on the tour, have played against each other many times and even play with each other.

For example, top-ranked Martina Hingis takes on Frenchwoman Mary Pierce, her doubles partner at Roland Garros. Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario will play fellow Spaniard Conchita Martinez.

It's almost the same lineup as in 1994, when the four semifinalists were Sanchez-Vicario, Martinez, Pierce and Steffi Graf, then No. 1. This year, Hingis takes retired Graf's place, both in the rankings and on court.

That year, Pierce beat Graf, and Sanchez-Vicario beat Martinez and Pierce to become the first Spanish woman to win the title.

On Wednesday, Hingis and Pierce were on the same side of the net, combining their skills to beat No. 5 Martinez and her coach and doubles partner Patricia Tarabini.

Hingis and Pierce have played each other 15 times, with Hingis leading 10-5.

But it is a new Pierce.

After a rough start to the year, she hit her high at Hilton Head, where she defeated Sanchez-Vicario for the title.

The secret to her success lies in her newfound faith, a supportive boyfriend, and a surprising peace of mind.

On court, it's the same long blond plait, the same muscular shoulders. But a closer look shows she is wearing rosary beads around her neck, which she fingers regularly.

``I think everything starts there for me, my relationship with God. It's basically really simple for me. I put everything in God's hands,'' she said.

But despite her winning performance in Paris, she insists tennis isn't everything.

``You can't really get too serious about it. If I win or lose, it's not the end of the world. I know that the sun will come up tomorrow,'' she said.

Her fiance, Cleveland Indians second baseman Roberto Alomar, has helped Pierce in finding her way to a calmer demeanor.

Hingis, too, is playing relaxed.

Asked how badly she needed the French Open title, the only Grand Slam tournament she has yet to win, she said, ``It's not that I need it necessarily to live my life. I need the oxygen probably to survive, but not the French Open.''

Hingis' nonchalance is not entirely convincing. There are bitter memories of last year's final, when she threw a tantrum and lost to Graf.

One thing which could play in Pierce's favor is the French crowd, which has rallied to her cause.

Hingis has every reason to be wary -- even if she weren't playing the ``last hope for the French,'' as she dubbed Pierce.

After her tears and sulks last year, she is clearly on probation.

``Either the crowd is with you or against you. I think the most important thing is if you're happy and confident with yourself,'' Hingis said.

Sanchez-Vicario and Martinez, both 28, are old pros who have often played each other.

Sanchez-Vicario has made Roland Garros her special stomping ground. The three-times champion will be walking onto center court and into a semifinal for the 10th time Thursday.

Her message is simple: If you want to beat her, you have to be a better player. At the moment, that's a tall order.

``As I get older, I get better and better. I'm really happy and I work really hard to be in the shape that I am,'' she said after defeating No. 4 Venus Williams.

This is Martinez's fourth semifinal appearance. She lost to Sanchez-Vicario in 1994 and to Graf the following two years.

After her ranking dropped to 15th last year, she picked up her game, winning the German Open this year and reaching the Gold Coast and Amelia Island finals.