Hingis overcame third-seeded Kim Clijsters of Belgium, 7-5, 4-6, 6-2 to advance to a meeting with American Meghann Shaughnessy.

Hingis, the second seed from Switzerland, is seeded third in next week's Australian Open and has not won a title since Dubai in February, 2001. Hingis, who teams with Russian Anna Kournikova, withdrew from the doubles final against American Lisa Raymond and Rennae Stubbs of Australia.

"I felt a couple of pinches in my leg, more when I was serving. I'm just happy to get through (the singles semifinal), but I don't want to take a risk in (Friday night's) doubles," Hingis said.

"I'm disappointed in not playing the doubles final, but I think healthiness comes first and Anna totally understands that. I'm going to do everything I can to be ready tomorrow, just have as much rest as I possibly can and go out there and play a good match (Saturday)."

Clijsters, who was seeking her 200th career win, is seeded fourth in the Australian Open.

Shaughnessy, the eighth seed here, reached the final when fourth-seeded American Serena Williams had to retire in Friday's other semifinal. Williams held a 5-4 lead when she suffered an ankle injury.

"I was running for a dropshot as I like to chase down every ball. I got there and fell forward, straight away, I knew something wrong," Williams said. "I tried to continue but the longer I stayed out there the worse it became."

Williams is the fifth seed in the Australian Open and faces Spain's Conchita Martinez in the opening round.

"It's looking positive, of course I'm going to have to take it one day at a time, but I feel this isn't going to stop me," Williams said. "I have a great chance to take the singles title there, so I'm going to do all I can to be ready."

In men's semifinal action, second seed Roger Federer of Switzerland advanced to a meeting with qualifier Juan Ignacio Chela of Argentina. Federer knocked off American teenager Andy Roddick, 7-6 (7-3), 6-4. Roddick, who was the third seed, is seeded 13th in the Australian Open.

Ignacio Chela cruised to a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Max Mirnyi of Belarus.

This $966,000 hardcourt tournament represents one of the last tuneups for the Australian Open, the year's first Grand Slam event, which begins Monday in Melbourne.