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. Continued...