Zheng bests Pennetta in rainy N.Z. final

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.