Maria Sharapova came from a set down against Swiss Patty Schnyder to reach the Italian Open semi-finals in Rome.

The 21-year-old Russian won a tough match 6-7 7-5 6-2 to set up a meeting with fourth seed Jelena Jankovic.

There was no place in the last four for either of the Williams sisters. Venus lost 5-7 6-2 6-3 to Jankovic while Serena withdrew because of injury.

Alize Cornet, the player to benefit from Serena's withdrawal, will play Anna Chakvetadze in the semi-finals.

Serena said that her withdrawal would not affect her preparations for the French Open.