Sharapova, both Williams, Jankovic in Italian quarters

BEIJING, May 16 (Xinhuanet) -- Maria Sharapova rallied from a four-game deficit in the second set to beat Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark 6-4, 7-6 (3) Thursday and reach the Italian Open quarterfinals.

Sharapova improved to 25-2 this year, and on Monday she will regain the No. 1 ranking, courtesy of Justine Henin's retirement.

The Russian committed 35 unforced errors to Wozniacki's 22, but led 37-16 in winners.

"I'm making way too many unforced errors," Sharapova said. "That's something I'm going to have to work on, because not too many players are going to let me back in the set like Wozniacki today."

Also advancing at the Foro Italico were defending champion Jelena Jankovic and both Williams sisters.

The fourth-seeded Jankovic routed Maria Kirilenko 6-1, 6-1 to set up a meeting with seventh-seeded Venus Williams, who led 3-0 in both sets of a 7-5, 6-2 win over No. 10 Vera Zvonareva.

Serena Williams overcame some erratic moments before eliminating Italian wild card Sara Errani 6-4, 6-3 and now will play 34th-ranked Alize Cornet of France, who upset last year's runner-up Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-2, 6-4.

Sharapova next faces 2005 runner-up Patty Schnyder, who edged last year's Wimbledon finalist Marion Bartoli 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7). Also, Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria reached the last eight when Victoria Azarenka retired while trailing 6-2, 1-0 with a left knee injury.

Pironkova's quarterfinal opponent will be No. 6 Anna Chakvetadze, who eliminated No. 12 Agnieszka Radwanska 6-4, 1-6, 6-1.

(Agencies)