Swiss Hingis sounded a clear warning to her rivals before the French Open starting on May 24 by taking just 42 minutes to brush aside the unseeded Frenchwoman.

``I apologize to the spectators that it went so quickly but if I keep winning that way in Paris I'll be delighted,'' said the 18-year-old Hingis, who pocketed $150,000 in prize money.

It was the 23rd tournament victory in Hingis's career and her fourth this year after the Australian Open, Tokyo and Hilton Head.

Halard-Decugis, who had knocked out local favorite Steffi Graf in the quarter-finals of the clay-court tournament, looked helpless at times.

The 28-year-old will rise five places to 16th when the new world rankings are released Monday.