Summary Russia's Maria Sharapova has pulled out of the Rome Open, citing "physical problems".
ROME (AFP) - Russia s Maria Sharapova has pulled out of the Rome Open, citing "physical problems", the WTA said on Friday.
The two-time winner of the tournament and world number two had been due to play Italy s Sara Errani in the quarter-finals.
Sharapova, the defending champion, posted a message on her Twitter account explaining the reason for her withdrawal.
"I m sorry for having to withdraw from the tournament this morning. Didn t recover after being sick last week and it got me again last night," Sharapova said.
"It really is one of my favourite tournaments during the year and I can t wait to be back next year!"
Errani, the world number six, will now go through to the semi-finals to meet the winner of the match between Australia s Samantha Stosur and Viktoria Azarenka of Belarus.
