Zheng bests Pennetta in rainy N.Z. final

AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Jan. 7 (UPI) -- Zheng Jie of China collected the championship of the ASB Classic Sunday in New Zealand when Italy's Flavia Pennetta bowed out in the third set.

Pennetta was trailing 6-2, 3-6, 0-2 when she retired with a back injury, handing Zheng her fourth career win in the rain-delayed final.

The two were scheduled to meet Saturday but heavy rains in Auckland forced a one-day delay. More rain Sunday then necessitated a move indoors.

Zheng, 28, improved to 4-2 in career finals and earned her first crown since 2006.

World No. 20 Pennetta fell short in her bid for a 10th career title.