TOKYO, Feb. 2 (UPI) -- Martina Hingis and Monica Seles set up a rematch of last week's Australian Open encounter Saturday with semifinal victories at the $1.2 million Pan Pacific Open.
Hingis, the top seed from Switzerland, cruised to a 6-0, 6-4 rout of No. 5 Silvia Farina Elia of Italy before the third-seeded Seles held off Russia's Anna Kournikova, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.
Last week, Hingis defeated Seles in the semifinals before wasting four championship points and suffering a 4-6, 7-6 (9-7), 6-2 loss to American Jennifer Capriati in the Australian Open final.
Hingis, a four-time winner here, has reached the final at this event six straight years. This also is the 21-year-old's third championship match in as many tournaments. She won her 39th career title in Sydney before coming up short in Melbourne.
Seles has reached the final in four of her last five tournaments dating back to last season. She finished 2001 by winning three consecutive titles and 21 of her last 22 matches.
The 28-year-old American, who is seeking her 51st tournament triumph, is just 4-13 lifetime against Hingis.
