Sharapova pulls out with injury
2008-05-17 14:06
Rome - Maria Sharapova pulled out of Saturday's semi-final match at the Italian Open with a left calf injury.
The problem apparently developed while Sharapova was warming up for her match with defending champion Jelena Jankovic.
In Sunday's final, Jankovic will meet either sixth-seeded Anna Chakvetadze or French qualifier Alize Cornet, who were playing later.
Sharapova will still take over the No 1 spot in the rankings on Monday due to Justine Henin's retirement.
Withdrawals have been a common theme at the Foro Italico this year.
Both semi-finals at the Rome Masters last week ended early due to players quitting, setting the tournament record with five retirements in all. On Friday, Serena Williams withdrew in the quarter-finals with a back problem.
Sharapova required 2 hours, 44 minutes to get by Patty Schnyder on Friday, a match that concluded near midnight local time.
- AP