Michael Zheng, a former Columbia tennis standout, marked his U.S. Open main draw debut with a victory, defeating Hungary's Fabian Marozsan 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 on Wednesday. The win came after a 22-year wait for Zheng to reach the main stage at Flushing Meadows.
The match, initially scheduled for Tuesday, was delayed by rain for several hours after only seven games had been completed. When play resumed, the 22-year-old Zheng seized control, breaking Marozsan's serve to take the first set. Despite trailing 3-0 in the second set, Zheng rallied to win five consecutive games, ultimately closing out the match in 1 hour and 51 minutes.
Zheng registered 33 winners against 17 unforced errors and recorded nine aces. He was supported by a vocal crowd on Court 10, which included many of his former Columbia teammates.
Collegiate and Professional Success
Zheng's journey to the U.S. Open main draw has been marked by significant achievements. He won the NCAA singles title in 2024, becoming the first player from Columbia to achieve this feat since 1906 and the first from the Ivy League. He followed this by becoming the first repeat NCAA singles winner in 13 years in November.
His professional career has also seen notable moments in 2026. He made his Grand Slam main draw debut at the Australian Open in January, where he upset Sebastian Korda. He then reached the third round of Wimbledon, a feat not accomplished by a reigning NCAA singles champion at that tournament since 1981. His Wimbledon run included a five-set victory over Cameron Norrie, a highly ranked British player.
"You grew up watching [these tournaments] on TV, so there’s still a little bit of that shock factor," Zheng previously told The Post. "But I think I’m starting to feel like my game is really becoming more solid, and I’m able to compete with the top players at this level. I think this just reinforces the belief that I have the ability to play at the top level and compete with some of the best players out there."
Zheng received a wild card into this year's U.S. Open after competing in qualifying the previous two summers. He earned his place in the main draw and is scheduled to play China's Yunchaokete Bu next.
Reflecting on playing at his home Slam, Zheng said, “It always feels kind of like home. It’s just a comfortable feeling. You have a bunch of friends and family that come out to watch and support. It’s almost like playing in your backyard. It’s always been a place you hoped to be able to play one day.”
