Hingis in cash clash with Sanchez Vicario

Martina Hingis' quarter-final clash with Aranxia Sanchez Vicario will be the highlight of Friday's play at the Masters Series Roma women's event for more than the usual reasons.

Not only are the crowd favourites playing for a spot in the last four, but whoever wins the match will break through the $16 million dollar barrier in career prize money.

A victory for Hingis would see her overtake Sanchez Vicario in third place on the all-time list of money earners, behind Steffi Graf and Martina Navratilova.

Sanchez Vicario and Hingis have played each other 18 times, with Hingis winning on 16 occasions.

The pair have split the two games they have played this year, with Hingis gaining revenge in Berlin last week for a loss to the Spaniard in Amelia Island last month.

That victory was Sanchez Vicario's first win over the world number one for five years.

Also in quarter-final action on Friday, France's Amelie Mauresmo faces Paola Suarez and Yugoslavia's Jelena Dokic is up against South Africa's Joanette Kruger.

Four-time Rome champion Conchita Martinez will have to battle the crowd as well as her opponent when she takes on local favourite Francesca Schiavone.

All time money earners current standings

1- Steffi Graf ($21,895,277)

2- Martina Navratilova ($20,405,174)

3- Sanchez Vicario ($15,967,340)*

4- Hingis ($15,960,776)*

*Having both earned $23,400 for reaching the quarterfinals, either Hingis or Sanchez Vicario will pocket $46,000 for reaching the semi-final, enough to break the $16 million mark.