Rome, Italy -- (Sports Network) - Second-seeded Maria Sharapova withdrew from Saturday's semifinals of the $1.34 million Italian Open with a left calf strain, awarding defending champion Jelena Jankovic a spot in the final via walkover.

Jankovic will face French qualifier Alize Cornet on Sunday.

Sharapova, who is poised to move to No. 1 in the world rankings on Monday due to the retirement of Justine Henin, is the second top-tier player to withdraw from the clay-court French Open tuneup in as many days. Fifth-seeded Serena Williams pulled out of Friday's quarterfinals due to a back injury.

The Russian star's withdrawal came on the heels of her 6-7 (3-7), 7-5, 6-2 win over Patty Schnyder on Friday night that clocked in just under 2 3/4 hours. Sharapova said she felt the injury during the three-set win over Schnyder.

"I think it was in the beginning of the second set, I started to feel my calf a little bit on one movement, and, you know, I felt it throughout that second set," she said.

"You know, to be honest, I thought it felt good last night, but I woke up this morning and it's really, really sore. I took a little jog and it didn't go too well.

"It was a really quick turnaround to be able to go out on court within 12 hours and have to be ready for another tough match. You know, I think it was smart and the best decision at this point, especially with a big tournament coming up."

The Serbian Jankovic captured this event last year by beating Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova in the finale.

Cornet, the beneficiary of Williams' withdrawal, downed sixth-seeded Russian Anna Chakvetadze 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 in the other semifinal on Saturday. Cornet is in search of her first career WTA title, as this will be her second career appearance in a final. She dropped the finale in Acapulco this year to Flavia Pennetta.

This year's Rome titlist will collect $196,900.