Pierce, Dementieva resume rivalry

France's Mary Pierce, who beat Elena Dementieva in controversial fashion at the US Open last week, will face her Russian rival again in the opening singles match of the Fed Cup final today at Roland Garros.

Dementieva accused Pierce of using unfair tactics when she lost 3-6 6-2 6-2 to the Frenchwoman in their semi-final at Flushing Meadows.

The Russian said Pierce faked an injury when she took back-to-back timeouts lasting 12 minutes to receive treatment after losing the first set. There would be no hard feelings today, Dementieva said.

"If there is a break, it will be because of the weather, not because of Mary," the Russian said after yesterday's draw, on a miserable day in the French capital.

Asked by a Russian journalist what she would do this time to trouble her opponent, Pierce smiled.

"I think I'll arrive 20 minutes late," she joked.

Amelie Mauresmo plays Anastasia Myskina in the second singles match today.

Mauresmo will play Dementieva before Pierce takes on Myskina in tomorrow's reverse singles. The French pair of Nathalie Dechy and Mauresmo should then meet Vera Douchevina and Dinara Safina in the doubles.

Both captains can change their doubles team until shortly before the match.