Sharapova, newly No. 1, wins in Rome

ROME, May 15 (UPI) -- Maria Sharapova celebrated her ascension to the world No. 1-ranking Thursday with a straight-set win in the third round of the $1.34 million Italian Open.

Sharapova moved up after Justine Henin, who announced her retirement from competitive tennis Wednesday, asked to be removed from the rankings, bumping everyone on the list up one spot. The change becomes official Monday.

Sharapova Thursday took out Carolina Wozniacki, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3), and advanced to the Italian Open quarterfinals.

Third-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova, a runner-up in Rome a year ago, was ousted Thursday, getting whipped 6-2, 6-4 by qualifier Alize Comet.

Also in the third round, No. 4-seeded Jelena Jankovic romped by Maria Kirilenko, 6-1, 6-1; fifth-seeded Serena Williams defeated Sara Errani, 6-4, 6-3; No. 6-seeded Anna Chakvetadze got by 12th-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska, 6-4, 1-6, 6-1; and seventh-seeded Venus Williams won 7-5, 6-2 over No. 10-seeded Vera Zvonareva.

In a slight upset, No. 9-seeded Patty Schnyder eliminated eighth-seeded Marion Bartoli in a tight 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (9-7) match while qualifier Tsvetana Pironkova was ahead of Victoria Azarenka, 6-2, 1-0, when Azarenka retired with a left knee injury.

Friday's quarterfinals schedule finds Sharapova going against Schnyder, Jankovic versus Venus Williams, Serena Williams playing against Cornet and Chakvetadze meeting Pironkova.