Whatever the outcome of Saturday's women's singles final at the French Open a new name will be carved on the old trophy after French sixth seed Mary Pierce ousted the world number 1, Switzerland's Martina Hingis in Thursday's semifinals of the Roland Garros.
Pierce demolished Hingis 6-4, 5-7, 6-2, eradicating her dreams of winning her first French Open, in a match lasting more than two hours.
The Frenchwoman will take on fifth-seeded Spaniard Conchita Martinez who easily breezed through the semis against fellow Spaniard Sanchez-Vicario in straight sets, 6-1, 6-2.
Pierce showed tremendous resolve in ousting the Swiss teen after squandering a match point in the second set as she re-gathered her wits to reach her second final.
"It's exciting to be in the final again and I'm really happy. Conchita is playing really well lately and it's gonna be a tough match. Every Grand Slam is special but this one is different," said Pierce.
The sixth-seeded Pierce is trying to become the first Frenchwoman to win the title at Roland Garros since Francoise Durr in 1967.
Both players have won just the one Grand Slam singles title to date, Pierce capturing the Australian Open in 1995 and Martinez winning Wimbledon in 1994, though the Frenchwoman leads their head-to-head series 9-6.
Martinez revealed after ousting Sanchez-Vicario that she had dreamed of lifting the trophy in Paris.
"I dreamt I won Roland Garros. But I can't remember who my rival was in the final," she smiled.
Martinez says working on her mental preparation had made her a new player.
"Sometimes it's very difficult when you play 13 years on the circuit to have the same level of desire. Right now I'm just having fun.
"I'm playing great tennis and I'm really focused. Even if I lose the final I'll have still had a great tournament" - (Several Sources)
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