The Columbia Star’s US Open Breakthrough
Michael Zheng, the 22-year-old American wildcard and two-time NCAA champion from Columbia University, marked a significant milestone at the US Open on a rainswept Wednesday afternoon in Queens. He swept past Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan, ranked world No. 63, with a commanding 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 victory in his rain-interrupted debut.
This win, achieved in just 1 hour and 51 minutes, represented a poignant return to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center for Zheng, a place he called his “home base” for training since childhood. The victory was a highlight on a busy day for American players advancing in the tournament, according to reporting by The Guardian - Tennis.
Playing before a passionate crowd of college teammates and alumni, whose blue and white colors filled Court 10, Zheng delivered a dominant performance. He broke Marozsan five times while dropping his own serve only once, hitting 33 winners against just 17 unforced errors. His first serve was particularly potent, winning 36 of 39 points, an impressive 92.3% across three sets.
A Lifelong Journey to the Blue Courts
The path to a Grand Slam main draw win at the National Tennis Center has been a long and personal one for Michael Zheng. For years, starting as a 10-year-old, he made a roughly two-hour commute several times a week from Montville, New Jersey, traveling alone by bus and subway just to train on these very courts.
“This is a place I grew up training,” Zheng shared after his victory. “It was one of the first places that I kind of called home base, actually, the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. So it’s really special to get that first main-draw win here and in front of my family, friends and teammates as well.”
His parents, who emigrated from China, have seen his dedication pay off handsomely. Zheng made history at Columbia University, becoming the first student-athlete since 1906 to win the NCAA singles championship in 2024, a title he successfully defended last November, making him the first man in 13 years to do so.
From College Courts to Grand Slam Success
Zheng’s professional breakthrough has been swift following his collegiate triumphs. This year alone, he qualified for his first Grand Slam main draw at the Australian Open, where he secured his first tour-level victory by defeating Sebastian Korda over five sets in the opening round. He then qualified for the French Open and reached the third round at Wimbledon, notably beating British No. 1 Cameron Norrie along the way.
Remarkably, amidst his escalating tennis career, Zheng also found time to graduate from Columbia with a degree in psychology. Reflecting on his rapid ascent, he admitted, “If you told me at the end of last year that I would play the main draw at all four slams, I probably wouldn’t believe whoever told me that.” He added that qualifying for one Grand Slam gave him the confidence to repeat the feat.
Wednesday’s victory propelled Zheng, who entered the tournament ranked 107th, into the world’s top 100 for the first time, reaching No. 96 in the live rankings. Just over a year ago, his ranking was outside the top 700. “It’s kind of that benchmark, I would say, that players who want to play professionally have,” Zheng stated. “You break the top 100, you can make a living playing tennis now. So it’s definitely really special.”
Americans Continue to Advance in New York
Beyond Michael Zheng’s emotional win, other American contenders also made significant strides at the US Open. Ben Shelton, the highest-ranked American in the men’s draw, battled through a tough match against Hubert Hurkacz, winning 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (3), 7-5. Shelton needed nearly three hours under the closed roof on Arthur Ashe Stadium to secure his spot in the round of 32 for the fourth consecutive year.
Frances Tiafoe, the 11th seed, also advanced to the third round for an impressive seventh straight year, the longest active streak among men. He defeated Japanese qualifier Rei Sakamoto 6-3, 7-6 (2), 7-5. On the women’s side, third seed Jessica Pegula cruised past former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin with a dominant 6-3, 6-1 victory in just 56 minutes, setting up a third-round clash with Canada’s Leylah Annie Fernandez.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Michael Zheng and what is his recent achievement?
Michael Zheng is a 22-year-old American tennis player and a two-time NCAA champion from Columbia University. He recently won his US Open main-draw debut, defeating Fabian Marozsan 6-4, 6-4, 6-2, which propelled him into the top 100 of the world rankings for the first time.
What makes Michael Zheng's US Open victory special?
His victory is special because the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center is where he trained for years as a child, commuting alone from New Jersey. It marks a significant full-circle moment, combining his collegiate success with a breakthrough on the Grand Slam stage.
What is Michael Zheng's current ranking after his US Open win?
After his victory, Michael Zheng's live ranking moved up to No. 96 in the world, marking his first time entering the top 100. This is a significant jump from being outside the top 700 just over a year ago.
Which other American players advanced at the US Open?
Several other American players advanced, including Ben Shelton, who won a tough match against Hubert Hurkacz, and Frances Tiafoe, who reached the third round for the seventh consecutive year. Jessica Pegula also moved on with a decisive win against Sofia Kenin.
Who will Michael Zheng face in his next US Open match?
Michael Zheng is scheduled to face Yunchaokete Bu, a Chinese lucky loser ranked 124th, in his next match at the US Open. Bu advanced after a dominant victory against Rafael Jodar.