AUCKLAND: China’s Zheng Jie secured her fourth WTA Tour title after fourth-seed Flavia Pennetta retired hurt during the third set of the ASB Classic final in Auckland. Pennetta started strongly, clinching the first set, but Zheng battled back to level the match and was a break up in the deciding set – leading 2-6, 6-3, 2-0 – when the Italian called it a day due to a lower back injury. The triumph was Zheng’s first Tour victory since she won the Stockholm Open title in 2006. The match was played indoors as the rain that had washed out all the outdoor action continued to pour down, meaning only around 300 spectators were able to watch the final.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 9th, 2012.
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