Michael Zheng Is Crushing The US Open Qualifiers

At the US Open, Michael Zheng is already making pros perspire while still being a college student.

Zheng Michael

The 21-year-old rising senior at Columbia University, who is currently the NCAA men’s singles national champion, dominated his first match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Tuesday, August 19.

Yasutaka Uchiyama of Japan was defeated by Zheng, a Montville resident who went to Delbarton and won state singles in 2021, in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3. Zheng won an incredible 78 percent of his first-serve points and fired three aces.

Zheng has had a crazy summer.

He won the trophy at the Chicago Men’s Challenger only last week after defeating Yu Hsiou Hsu 6-4, 6-2 in the championship match. He defeated Aiden Kim of Ohio State in the American Collegiate Wildcard Playoff semifinals, securing his spot in the US Open qualifying draw in June.

What comes next? Kym, Switzerland, Wednesday, August 20, 1:20 p.m.

Zheng will be able to show the pro tour what an Ivy League champion is capable of if he continues to win. He will receive one of only 16 golden tickets into the main event.

Zheng has qualified for the US Open three times now. Two days prior to his debut game last year, he contracted food poisoning, according to NJ.com.