The Russian bombshell meets world No. 1 and doubles partner Martina Hingis of Switerzland tonight as she tries to become the first player to drop one of the top four seeds in the tournament.

Earlier today, second-seeded American Lindsay Davenport, No. 3 Conchita Martinez of Spain and fourth seed Nathalie Tauziat of France advanced to the semifinals.

Kournikova, 19, also will try to snap a five-match losing streak to Hingis, who leads the head-to-head series, 9-1.

The most famous tennis player never to win an event, Kournikova will try to move one step closer to her second championship appearance in three tries. She lost to Hingis in the final at the Kremlin Cup.

Kournikova has enjoyed a solid season on the WTA Tour, reaching the semifinals nine times, including last week, when she lost to Kim Clijsters at the Sparkassen Cup, and collecting $2.4 million in prize money.

She will team with Hingis in doubles action after their singles match tonight.

Hingis will try to remain unbeaten since her semifinal loss to Venus Williams at the U.S. Open this summer. She is 13-0 since, winning titles at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, Swisscom Challenge and Kremlin Cup.

The 20-year-old has won eight of her 34 career singles titles this year, 71 of 80 matches and over $14 million. She is 44-6 on hard courts.

Davenport, 24, knocked off seventh seed Amanda Coetzer of South Africa, 6-1, 1-6, 6-1, as she seeks her fourth straight singles title, excluding the Olympics.

The defending champion, who defeated Hingis in straight sets in last year's final, has just three titles during an injury-plagued year. She is preparing to defend her title at the Chase Championships.

Martinez, 28, crushed lucky loser Holly Parkinson of the United States, 6-2, 6-0, to set up a semifinal meeting with Davenport. Martinez won this tournament in 1993 for one of her 32 career titles.

Tauziat, 32, will await the winner of tonight's match after defeating countrywoman Julie Halard-Decugis, 6-4, 6-4, to even the lifetime series at four wins apiece.

First prize at the $535,000 event is $87,000.