Hingis, chasing her first victory in the $1.05 million clay-court event, will meet either France's Julie Halard-Decugis or Romanian Ruxandra Dragomir in Sunday's final.

``It was not as easy at it may have looked,'' said the Swiss. ``Arantxa fought well in the first set.''

The match started an hour late because of rain in the German capital.

Both players dropped serve in a tense opening. Hingis made the decisive break to go 5-3 up and served for the set, winning it with a backhand dropshot.

Hingis then took control as Sanchez Vicario faded. The Spaniard, seeded fourth, hit a backhand into the net on match point to give Hingis victory.

``I had my chances in the first set,'' said Sanchez Vicario, who will begin her defense of the French Open title on May 24 in Paris.

``I'm in good shape and I'm confident for Paris,'' she added. ``I know that I can play better than I did today.''