( CNN ) -- Serena Williams was forced to pull out of the Madrid Open with a thigh injury ahead of her quarter final tie with Petra Kvitova Friday . The withdrawal will come as a blow to the world No . 1 's preparations for the French Open with the year 's second major beginning in two weeks ' time . Williams had been playing with heavy strapping all week , although confirmed she hopes to be able to take part in the Italian Open in Rome next week . `` I have a left thigh injury and , unfortunately , have to withdraw from this year 's Madrid Open , '' Williams told the WTA website . `` It happened during my first round match . It started to get better , but most importantly right now , I just need some time to rest and recover . `` I am planning to play in Rome . Fortunately , I have a bye next week so will have an extra day of rest . '' Williams has won the title in Madrid for the last two years and used the event as a springboard to take the French Open crown at Roland Garros last May . She added : `` It 's beyond words . It 's so frustrating . We could n't ask for a better tournament and I love it here in Madrid . I love being a champion here . '' Elsewhere in the women 's draw , Maria Sharapova overcame world No . 2 Li Na 2-6 , 7-6 ( 7/5 ) 6-3 to reach the semifinals where she will face Poland 's Agnieszka Radwanska who defeated surprise package Caroline Garcia 6-4 , 4-6 , 6-4 . Williams ' withdrawal means the second semifinal will pit Kvitova against No.4 seed Simona Halep who trumped the in-form Ana Ivanovic 6-2 , 6-2 . Rafa Marches on . In the men 's quarterfinals , Rafael Nadal defeated Thomas Berdych of the Czech Republic 6-4 , 6-2 . A tense opening set saw Nadal take the first break in the seventh game with the scores tied at 3-3 . From there the Spaniard never looked back . Nadal broke Berdych again early in the second set and once more with the scores at 4-2 before serving the match out . The home favorite and three-time time Madrid Open champion will now face fellow countryman Roberto Bautista on Saturday after the the world No . 45 beat Santiago Giraldo of Colombia in straight sets 6-3 , 6-4 . The remaining men 's semifinal will see another Spaniard , David Ferrer , take on Japan 's Kei Nishikori after Ferrer defeated Ernests Gulbis 7-6 ( 7/3 ) 6-3 and Nishikori eased past Feliciano Lopez 6-4 , 6-4 .
A thigh injury has forced Serena Williams to withdraw from the Madrid Open . The world No.1 hopes to be fit for Rome Italian Open next weekend . Rafael Nadal cruises into men 's semifinal in Madrid .