Wozniacki vs. Sharapova in Rome semifinals

ROME, May 13 (UPI) -- World No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki was pushed to three sets Friday but won a berth in the semifinals of the BNL International tennis tournament in Rome.

Wozniacki topped fifth-seeded Jelena Jankovic 6-3, 1-6, 6-3. Jankovic dominated the second set -- winning 67 percent of the points and not facing a break point -- but Wozniacki finished off nine of the 17 break-point chances she had in the other two sets in advancing.

She'll go against seventh-seeded Maria Sharapova in Saturday's semis. Sharapova lost the first set 4-6 Friday but had taken a 3-0 lead in the second over No. 3-seeded Victoria Azarenka when the Belarusian retired.

Sharapova and Wozniacki have split their previous four meetings, with Wozniacki taking the last two. Wozniacki won a 6-1, 6-2 decision this year in California.

The other semifinal sends fourth-seeded Li Na against No. 6-seeded Samantha Stosur, who their previous two meetings.

Stosur posted the upset of the quarterfinals, taking out No. 2-seeded Francesca Schiavone 6-2, 6-4. Stosur lost only 11 points on serve.

Li topped unseeded Greta Arn 6-3, 6-1 by converting five of her 10 break-point opportunities.