World number two Maria Sharapova revealed that she’s been struggling with an illness which she had first contracted last week and has decided to pull out of the ongoing Italian Open 2013. The Russian was scheduled to face Italy’s Sara Errani in the quarterfinals. The walkover has guaranteed Errani a place in the semifinals.
“I was already a bit off in Madrid and played though it and it came back last night and I got sick again and it’s not smart to compete again,” said Sharapova. “Obviously with the French Open coming up it is important to make smart decisions.”
The Russian said that she had a fever after beating Sloane Stephens in the previous round.
Errani’s semifinal opponent is world number three Victoria Azarenka who routed Samantha Stosur of Australia in the other quarterfinal match.
