Russia's Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova returns a forehand against Jelena Jankovic of Serbia-Montenegro during their quarter final of the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing September 24, 2004. (Reuters)

Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova swept into the semi-finals of the China Open on Friday when opponent Jelena Jankovic retired hurt in the first set with an ankle injury.

The 17-year-old Russian third seed will meet compatriot Svetlana Kuznetsova after the US Open champion beat Argentine Gisela Dulko 6-4 6-2.

Sharapova was cruising 5-2 when Jankovic of Serbia and Montenegro took a medical time out and threw in the towel down 40-15 in the eighth game.

Jankovic, seeded seventh, said she had badly twisted her right ankle during her second-round win over Japan's Shinobu Asagoe on Wednesday.

"I'm really disappointed... I was hurting and couldn't play balls left and right, I couldn't really move," the former junior world number one told reporters.

"Maria did what she had to do, she moved me around."

Sharapova was blisteringly accurate from the base line, pinpointing strong shots that Jankovic could not chase down.

"I was happy to play a very good set. Though she was injured, we did have some good points," Sharapova said, calling Jankovic's injury very unfortunate.

"For me, it's an advantage that the second round was easy. I liked the way I was playing and today too...I'm still enjoying myself, that's the most important thing," Sharapova added.

(Agencies)

throw in the towel : （文中指放弃比赛）

base line: （底线）