Second seed Mary Pierce of France was outgunned in straight sets by former Olympic champion American Jennifer Capriatis in the semi-final of the Millennium Cup Hong Kong women tennis invitational tournament on January 7.

World ranked 23nd Capriati defeated Pierce, now world number five, with an identical score of 6-4 in two sets.

"I played better today against Pierce than yesterday when I metChanda Rubin," said 23-year-old Capriati.

Pierce got a better start by leading 3-1 in both sets, but fighting Capriati never gave up her hope with her movements and powerful shots.

Capriati will take on world top player Martina Hingis in the final on Saturday.

19-year-old Hingis had to do her best by demolishing world junior number one player Lyna Krasnoroutskaya of Russia, Hingis' part-time training partner in US, 6-2 and 6-2 in another semi-final.

Hingis said: "If speedy and powerful Krasnoroutskaya play more WTA tournaments, I am sure she will be very potential."