Sharapova pulls out of Italian Open semifinal

| The Associated Press

5/17/2008 - 5/17/08

ROME — Maria Sharapova pulled out of Saturday's semifinals at the Italian Open with a left calf strain.

Sharapova will still take over the No. 1 spot in the world rankings Monday due to Justine Henin's retirement. She 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," Sharapova said. "They said I need maybe three days off before they test it again."

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

Sharapova said one of the problems is that players don't want to take any risks so 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."

The second-seeded Russian had been slated to play defending champion Jelena Jankovic.

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."

In Sunday's final, Jankovic will meet either sixth-seeded Anna Chakvetadze or French qualifier Alize Cornet, who were playing later.

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.