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Rome — Maria Sharapova rallied from a four-game deficit in the second set to beat Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark 6-4, 7-6 (3) yesterday and reach the Italian Open quarterfinals.
Sharapova improved to 25-2 this year, and on Monday she will regain the No. 1 ranking, courtesy of Justine Henin’s retirement.
The Russian committed 35 unforced errors to Wozniacki’s 22, but led 37-16 in winners.
“I’m making way too many unforced errors,” Sharapova said.
Also advancing at the Foro Italico were defending champion Jelena Jankovic and 2002 winner Serena Williams. The fourth-seeded Jankovic routed Maria Kirilenko 6-1, 6-1 and Williams overcame some erratic moments before eliminating Italian wild card Sara Errani 6-4, 6-3.
Williams will now play 34th-ranked Alize Cornet of France, who upset last year’s runner-up Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-2, 6-4.
Sharapova will next face 2005 runner-up Patty Schnyder, who edged last year’s Wimbledon finalist Marion Bartoli 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7). Also, Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria reached the last eight when Victoria Azarenka retired while trailing 6-2, 1-0 with a left knee injury.
Pironkova’s quarterfinal opponent will be No. 6 Anna Chakvetadze, who eliminated No. 12 Agnieszka Radwanska 6-4, 1-6, 6-1. AP
