Sharapova into last four

Sharapova: World no 1

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New world number one Maria Sharapova outbattled Patty Schnyder 6-7 7-5 6-2 to earn a semi-final date with Jelena Jankovic at the Italian Open.

The 21-year-old, who will claim top spot following the retirement of Justin Henin, benefited from her tiring opponent after a thrilling contest that saw both women mix baseline winners with daring dropshots.

Defending champion and fourth seed Jelena Jankovic beat Venus Williams earlier in the day to reach the last four once again.

Jankovic fought back for victory despite losing the first set to the seventh seed, eventually winning their quarter-final tie 5-7 6-2 6-3.

Anna Chakvetadze beat Bulgarian qualifier Tsvetana Pironkova to book her semi-final place in Rome.

Serena injury

The sixth seed won 6-2 3-6 6-1 to set up a meeting with Alize Cornet, who was handed a bye after Serena Williams was forced to withdraw through injury.

Williams pulled out of her quarter-final tie against the French girl after damaging her back during the warm-up.

Pironkova, who earned the biggest win of her career when she shocked top seed Ana Ivanovic in the third round, ran out of steam in the final set.

Chakvetadze won the first set with ease, but Pironkova hit back in the second after receiving treatment for a shoulder injury.

The Russian player then required similar attention from the trainer in the deciding set, but it could not prevent her from wrapping up the win.