PARIS, June 4: The all-conquering Williams sisters dropped a total of nine games between them as each they routed a multiple Grand Slam champion to rip into the semifinals of the French Open on a cloudy Tuesday in Paris.

Third seed Serena routed 2000 Roland Garros winner Mary Pierce, leaving the come-back French player gasping in a 6-1, 6-1 thumping.

Elder sister Venus, seeded second, needed marginally more effort for a 6-4, 6-3 win into the semi-finals over three-time Paris champion Monica Seles in a quarter-final contest briefly interrupted by rain.

Argentine outsider Clarisa Fernandez, the first from her nation in the semis here since Gabriela Sabatini a decade ago, fought through for a victory over compatriot Paola Suarez 2-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-1.

Defending champion Jennifer Capriati overcame stern opposition and a second-set scare to beat Yugoslav dynamo Jelena Dokic 6-4 4-6 6-1.

Top seed Capriati comfortably out-hit seventh-seeded baseliner Dokic in the opening set, but then relinquished an early break as Dokic stormed back.

The 19-year-old Yugoslav levelled matters with some brave hitting from the baseline before Capriati seized control again, pummelling winners from the back-court.

Dokic double-faulted on match point to hand Capriati — cheered on by friend and ‘Friends’ actor Matthew Perry — victory and a place in the semis.

In men’s quarters, Spaniard Albert Costa, won another of the marathons at which he excels, knocking out 15th-seeded Argentine Guillermo Canas 7-5, 3-6, 6-7 (3-7), 6-4, 6-0.

Canas came in with plenty of tennis in his legs after having played consecutive four-hour matches to reach the last eight.

Despite her one-sided scoreline over Pierce, who also owns an Australian Open title, Serena Williams was not entirely happy with her performance.

The younger Williams owns three title this year, including the Italian Open last month. Like her sister, she has now beaten her best by reaching the final four in Paris.

Venus Williams, the second seed, has dominated against Seles, having won six of their seven matches. Her only loss - now avenged - came at their last meeting in the Australian Open quarters five months ago.

Seles, 28, won the title at Roland Garros in 1990, 1991 and 1992 and came to Paris with a title from Madrid the week before the start of the season’s second Grand Slam. She holds seven majors, having lifted everything save a Wimbledon title.

Williams said she felt free and easy running down balls she never imagined she would reach. “I’m a bit closer to winning a title, this is my personal best result here.

“I’ve had bad luck in Paris, but I hope it’s changing,” said the 21-year-old double Wimbledon and U.S. Open champion.

Seles said she had a bad day: “I was a touch off on all my shots and you can’t do that against a player like Venus. I had so many unforced errors and double-faults. I broke her a few times, but I couldn’t hold my serve at all.

“She was just the better player today, she played some great tennis.”

Second seed Marat Safin tamed French wildcard Arnaud Di Pasquale 3-6 6-4 6-3 6-2 to reach his second quarter-final Monday evening.

The Russian former U.S. Open champion fought back from one set down to beat the Frenchman in two hours and 36 minutes.

In the last eight, Safin will meet another Frenchman, 10th seed Sebastien Grosjean.

Safin, finalist in this year’s Australian Open, also reached the quarterfinals at Roland Garros two years ago, losing to Swede Magnus Norman.

MEN (quarterfinals): Albert Costa (Spa x20) bt Guillermo Canas (Arg x15) 7-5, 3-6, 6-7 (3/7), 6-4, 6-0