Sharapova pulls out of Italian Open semifinal

ROME (AP) -- Maria Sharapova pulled out of the Italian Open semifinals because of a strained left calf Saturday, two days before she is to assume the No. 1 ranking following Justine Henin's retirement.

Sharapova said the injury would not affect her preparations for the French Open, which begins next weekend.

"I don't think so. It's a strain," the second-seeded Russian said. "They said I need maybe three days off before they test it again."

Sharapova had been scheduled to play defending champion Jelena Jankovic. In Sunday's final, Jankovic will meet France's Alize Cornet.

Cornet became the first female qualifier to reach the Italian Open final in several decades by defeating sixth-seeded Anna Chakvetadze 3-6, 6-4, 6-3. The 18-year-old Cornet, last year's French Open junior champion, is ranked 34th, but by beating Jankovic could join the top 20 when the rankings are released Monday.

On Friday, Serena Williams withdrew from the quarterfinals with a back problem.

Sharapova said players don't want to take risks close to a Grand Slam. If this was the French Open, Sharapova said, she would have tried to play.

"Last year, I basically played without a shoulder, and I got to the semifinals," she said. "In a Grand Slam, you do whatever it takes, whether that's taking a few extra painkillers or whatever. But a week before a Slam to take your body to that phase, it's difficult."

Sharapova said she first felt the injury in the second set of her 6-7 (3), 7-5, 6-2 quarterfinal win Friday over Patty Schnyder, a match that ended near midnight.

"Last night, I had 2 1/2 to 3 hours of treatment and it felt good, but when I woke up this morning it was really sore. I took a little jog and it didn't go well," Sharapova said. "It was really uncomfortable. I'm sorry for my fans. I hope to make it up to them soon."

Sharapova had a flight booked to Paris later Saturday.

"I hope in two days I'll be able to be on the court and be normal," she said.

In the men's Rome Masters last week, also played at the Foro Italico, both semifinals ended when players withdrew with injuries. The Italian tennis federation said Saturday it would use "all the means available to pressure international tennis authorities to alter rules to better benefit fans and promote sportsmanship."

"For the last four years, we've asked for a rule that would require the losing semifinalists to stay in town in case somebody pulls out of the final, but the players have refused," tournament director Sergio Palmieri said. "There are pros and cons of being a warmup tournament for a Grand Slam. We get the best players, but then this happens sometimes."