MARY PIERCE and Martina Hingis will meet in tomorrow's final after both women enjoyed comfortable semi final victories early this morning.

Swiss teenager Hingis charged into her first grand slam final with a crushing straight-sets victory over American Mary Joe Fernandez. Hingis was rarely troubled in a 6-1, 6-3 victory over the American 14th seed.

Pierce blasted her way past South Africa's Amanda Coetzer in straight sets to become the first unseeded finalist at the Australian Open in 19 years.

In an aggressive display of forehand power, Pierce thrashed the 12th seed 7-5, 6-1 in a 74 minute semi final.

The 22 year old French star, who won the Australian title in 1995, will take on Swiss prodigy Martina Hingis or American Mary Joe Fernandez in Saturday's final. The last unseeded player to make a final was Australian Chris O'Neill who won the title in 1978.

Coetzer, who was a losing semi finalist last year, felled world number one Steffi Graf in two sets on Sunday. But her game, built on fitness, solid returns and a top spin forehand, had no impact on the rejuvenated Pierce.

She slammed over 12 winners with her forehand, frequently finding Coetzer out of position. Pierce hit 33 winners toe Coetzer's 13, but led on unforced errors 24-18.

The 25 year old South African who lost her service in the second game, won only two points in the first three games as she was eclipsed by Pierce's power game. Pierce broke through again at the sixth to take a commanding 5-1 lead.

But in the seventh she lost her service as she fluffed an easy overhead volley at the net. The tenacious 12th seeded Coetzer fought back, rolling up the next four games including Pierce's service at the ninth when the French player hit a series of forehand errors.

As Coetzer clawed back to 5-5 after Pierce over hit on the crucial deuce point, the French woman bounced her racket angrily on court in frustration. Pierce, however, won the sixth game with an ace and then smashed a forehand past Coetzer as she went to the net to break the South African and win the set 7-5.

Pierce started the second set with an ace but lost her service. With her forehand cranked up again Pierce broke back in the second. The French player broke Coetzer in the fourth to make it 3-1 after the South African double faulted at 30 all. Pierce turned on her aggression and easily took the next three games.