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ROME (AP) -Andy Roddick and Radek Stepanek retired from semifinal matches at the Rome Masters on Saturday, setting up a final between Novak Djokovic and Stanislas Wawrinka.
Roddick pulled out with a back problem after falling behind 3-0 in the first set against Wawrinka.
"I felt a little something last night in my back when I was getting treatment. Then, one wrong movement and I had a complete spasm," Roddick said. "I can't really move my left arm right now. You can't really play around that."
Stepanek stopped while trailing Djokovic 6-0, 1-0, after appearing affected by the heat.
"I started feeling bad for the first time after practice this morning, and then I ate lunch and was feeling a little better," Stepanek said. "Once the match started, however, I started feeling worse and worse. I was dizzy and weak and couldn't play."
On Friday, Stepanek eliminated top-ranked Roger Federer in this clay-court tuneup for the French Open, which begins May 25.
Injuries have been a common theme all week at the Foro Italico.
Three-time defending champion Rafael Nadal suffered from a blister on his right foot in a second-round loss to Juan Carlos Ferrero.
Fernando Gonzalez, last year's finalist, pulled out of his third-round match with Nicolas Almagro citing a right leg injury, and Almagro retired in the quarterfinals against Djokovic with a wrist problem.
At the Monte Carlo Masters last month, Djokovic retired from his semifinal match against Federer with a sore throat.
"These things happen," the Serb said.
Fans started whistling and booing after the day's second retirement, and an announcement was made that those in attendance would get 50 percent off tickets for next week's women's tournament.
A doubles match was moved onto center court, and the majority of the fans stayed to watch Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic beat Richard Gasquet and Fabrico Santoro.
