World number one Hingis and French hope Pierce have looked a winning partnership in the doubles, moving into the final four when Spain's Conchita Martinez and Argentina's Patricia Tarabini abandoned the match trailing 6-1 1-0 on Wednesday.
But it remains to be seen if their team work and blossoming friendship will survive intact at the end of an intense Centre Court battle.
Pierce, back in the semifinals for the first time since 1994, will be continuing her bid to become the first Frenchwoman since Francoise Durr in 1967 to win at Roland Garros, while on the other side of the net Hingis will be trying to claim the one title missing from her collection.
SAME ROUTINE FOR PIERCE
``I'll prepare the same way I prepare for every other match,'' said Pierce, when asked how she would approach her match with Hingis. ``I practise, I eat well, I prepare my clothes, I wash them.
``I'm not thinking that it's going to be a semifinal with Martina.
``When I go on to the court I don't look on the other side of the net. I only look at my side of the court.
``I concentrate on my game, what I have to do...nothing else.''
CONFIDENCE-BOOSTING EDGE FOR HINGIS
A determined Hingis, looking to put last year's collapse behind her, will walk on to Court Central holding a confidence boosting 10-5 edge in head-to-head meetings, including seven straight-sets wins in a row over the hard-hitting Frenchwoman.
But Pierce appears to have finally won over the fickle French crowd, who have thrown their support behind the Canadian-born, American-raised Frenchwoman.
In contrast, Hingis has fallen into disfavour with the Parisian audience following a temper-tantrum-filled display in last year's final and can expect a hostile welcome.
But the 19-year-old Swiss has not let the jeers and whistles distract her, cruising into the semifinals having dropped just one set in five matches.
Pierce has been equally impressive, having also surrendered but a single set, to Monica Seles in quarter-finals.
``Every match is going to be difficult and either the crowd is with or against you,'' said Hingis, playing down the contest. ``I think the most important thing is that you're happy and confident with yourself.
``You don't let anyone get too many opportunities, just play your game.
``If it's good enough, great. If not, there are other years.''
ALL-SPANISH
The other semifinal will be an all-Spanish affair, with former champion Sanchez-Vicario facing in-form Martinez.
Sanchez-Vicario has become almost a permanent fixture at Roland Garros, having reached the final on six occasions and won three times.
``We (Spaniards) love playing this tournament,'' Sanchez-Vicario, who has 71 wins at Roland Garros, said. ``It's a dream to win here at Roland Garros. We are very motivated to do well here.''
Like Hingis, Sanchez-Vicario holds a massive edge in head-to-head meetings over her opponent, having beaten her Davis Cup team mate 10 times in 13 clashes, including a straight-sets win in the 1994 French semifinals.
However, Martinez, the 1994 Wimbledon champion, is currently playing some of the best tennis of her career, having arrived in Paris after winning the German Open after reaching the finals at Amelia Island and the Gold Coast.