 Pierce will be fighting to reach her first final since November |
Mary Pierce overcame compatriot Emilie Loit in two tie-break sets to reach the last four of the Paris Open on Friday. The 31-year-old, who won the tournament in 1998, went through 7-6 7-6 and will meet Switzerland's Patty Schnyder, who beat Russia's Elena Dementieva 6-3 6-3.
Another Frenchwoman, Tatiana Golovin, came from a set down to claim the scalp of third-seeded Nadia Petrova.
Top seed Amelie Mauresmo scored another victory for France, defeating defending champion Dinara Safina 6-2 6-2.
Pierce, who has been struggling for form in recent months, was pleased with her match.
"I played pretty well today and I hope I'll be able to repeat the same kind of performance," said the number two seed.
Unseeded Golovin struggled early on but came back well to power past Petrova, of Russia, 3-6 7-6 6-3 and book her place in the last four.
MMIX
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