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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 Stanislas Wawrinka and Novak Djokovic.
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.
Fans started whistling and booing after the day's second withdrawal, and an announcement was made that those in attendance would get 50 percent off tickets for next week's women's tournament.
Roddick pulled up awkwardly after Wawrinka hit a forehand winner in the third game, then asked for a trainer on the changeover. He came back out and double-faulted, then quit.
"I warmed up OK, but then just one movement triggered it," Roddick said. "I can feel it even when I take a deep breath now."
Wawrinka reached his second final of the year. He is ranked a career-high 24th this week after reaching the semifinals of the Barcelona Open last weekend, and will move into the top 10 next week.
The Hamburg Masters begins Monday, and Roddick isn't sure how his back will react.
"My plan is to get this thing better," he said. "I probably won't be able to hit the next couple of days."
