It is one of the most exclusive clubs in tennis: those who have beaten Martina Hingis in 1997. On Thursday night in New York, Mary Pierce became the fifth and final member, alongside Amanda Coetzer, Lindsay Davenport, Iva Majoli and Lisa Raymond, with a 6-3 2-6 7-5 win in the quarterfinals of the Chase Championships.

She also became the first player in the 25-year history of the tournament to twice beat the top seed, having also overcome Steffi Graf three years ago.

"I've played some of the best tennis of my career here," Pierce said.

Certainly the French woman made a grand start, racing into a five-games-to-love lead. "The first set was pretty flawless. I did what I wanted to, was very aggressive, taking the ball early, and not giving her the chance to get into the point."

Pierce even had two points to win the set to love. Yet when Hingis saved those set points and reduced the deficit to 3-5 there was a feeling that she might also save the set.

Pierce prevented that, but Hingis had seized the initiative and it took her 27 minutes to claim the second set. The deciding set was full of fabulous tennis with powerful exchanges from the baseline and some telling advances to the net.

While Hingis heads for the ski slopes Pierce looks forward to a semi-final with her Fed Cup teammate, Nathalie Tauziat, who completed a grand night for France by beating the sixth-seeded Majoli 76 (9-7) 7-6 (7-4).