ROME — Maria Sharapova moved a step closer to the No. 1 ranking, overcoming some erratic moments before beating Dominika Cibulkova 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 in the second round of the Italian Open on Wednesday.

With top-ranked Justine Henin announcing her retirement, Sharapova is poised to move to No. 1 next week — depending on if and when Henin asks the WTA Tour to remove her from the rankings.

Sharapova is No. 2 and third-ranked Ana Ivanovic — the tournament’s top seed — was upset by Bulgarian qualifier Tsvetana Pironkova 6-4, 5-7, 6-2.

Sharapova has been ranked No. 1 three times before.

“The ranking has never been a big deal for me,” Sharapova said. “My goal is just to keep winning tennis matches and the ranking will take care of itself.”

Both Williams sisters advanced Wednesday, as did No. 3 Svetlana Kuznetsova and defending champion Jelena Jankovic.

Fifth-seeded Serena Williams routed Alona Bondarenko 6-2, 6-0 and No. 7 Venus Williams overcame an early challenge from Samantha Stosur before beating the Australian player 6-4, 6-1.

Kuznetsova, last year’s runner-up, routed Olga Govortsova 6-2, 6-0, and the fourth-seeded Jankovic beat Flavia Pennetta 6-1, 6-4.

Another Italian, Sara Errani, upset No. 11 Agnes Szavay of Hungary 6-0, 6-3.

Also, No. 6 Anna Chakvetadze defeated Kateryna Bondarenko 3-6, 7-6 (1), 6-0; No. 8 Marion Bartoli edged Virginie Razzano 6-4, 7-5; and No. 10 Vera Zvonareva beat Iveta Benesova 7-5, 4-6, 7-5.

Also on Wednesday: Federer, Nadal advance

HAMBURG, Germany — Top-ranked Roger Federer and No. 3 Novak Djokovic cruised into the third round of the Hamburg Masters. Second-ranked Rafael Nadal had to work harder. Federer eased past Jarkko Nieminen 6-1, 6-3, and Djokovic downed Juan Ignacio Chela 6-3, 6-1. Nadal needed a tiebreaker to overcome Potito Starace 6-4, 7-6 (6), while James Blake was upset by Janko Tipsarevic 4-6, 6-3, 6-3.