Hingis breezes into semis

It was easy for Hingis in her quarter-final

Martina Hingis (1) beat Chanda Rubin 6-1 6-3

Martina Hingis breezed into the semi-finals of the French Open after an easy 6-1 6-3 win over American Chanda Rubin.

Hingis is closing in on the only Grand Slam title she has not won and is determined not to make a show of herself like she did last year.

It is 12 months since Hingis' bid for a French Open title ended in a flood of tears, acrimony and controversy.

But this year she is trying to keep things in perspective.

It would be nice to win it - but I don't need it

Martina Hingis

After Tuesday's quarter-final victory the 19-year-old top seed quickly corrected a journalist who asked her how badly she needed to win at Roland Garros.

"It would be nice to win it - but I don't need it," she said.

"I need oxygen to survive - but not the French Open."

Jeered

Hingis came desperately close to beating Steffi Graf in last year's final, but her temperament - and her temper - let her down and she ended up being booed and jeered from court.

Hingis' petulance that day earned her widespread criticism and dented her image.

She has repeatedly pointed out that she is a year older now and far smarter than she was last year and so far, at least, the Roland Garros crowds have been quick to forgive her for her previous excesses of youth and insecurity.

Hingis' temperament, and the crowd's patience, could be tested in the semis, however, with the top seed playing local hero Mary Pierce.

Hingis said: "I'm not worried, because every match is difficult from now on.

"If you are happy and confident, you just play your game.

"If it is good enough great. If not, there are many years to come."

It was a Swiss stroll for Hingis against Rubin - and she clearly enjoyed the match.

"I think I played very well," she said. "I was focused from the beginning."