N.J.’s Michael Zheng wins 1st main-draw match at U.S. Open

NEW YORK -- A huge crowd encircled Court 10 at the U.S. Open on Wednesday afternoon for the match featuring New Jersey native and former Columbia University star Michael Zheng.

His former college teammates sat in the corner of the court wearing the light blue of Columbia and cheering on the two-time former NCAA singles champion from Montville, N.J.

Competing in his first ever main-draw match at the Grand Slam in the city where he played college tennis, Zheng defeated Hungary's Fábián Marozsán, 6-4, 6-4, 6-2, to advance to the second round on Thursday.

Zheng closed it out with a forehand winner up the line for his first main-draw win at the Open. Zheng reached 124 mph on his serve and finished with 33 winners against 17 unforced errors. He won 36-of-39 points (92%) on his first serve and often followed it up with a big forehand.

The match was a rematch of their first-round encounter at the Cincinnati Open last month where Zheng beat Marozsán in three sets in the first round.

The former Delbarton star won't get much rest because rain pushed his first-round match back a day. He will next face China's Yunchaokete Bu, a Lucky Loser who stunned No. 12 seed Rafael Jodar of Spain, 6-2, 6-1, 6-1. That match is set for Court 12 not before 4 p.m. Thursday.

Zheng's win was one of several for the American men on Wednesday. No. 8 seed Ben Shelton, the top-ranked American man, advanced in four sets over Hubert Hurkacz in Arthur Ashe Stadium, while Alex Michelsen stunned No. 16 and fellow American Brandon Nakashima in straight sets on Grandstand.

It's already been quite the summer for Zheng, who reached the third round at Wimbledon before losing to No. 4 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime. He picked up nearly $250,000 in prize money at The All-England Club as a result.

After losing in U.S. Open qualifying each of the past two years, Zheng was awarded a Wild Card into the main draw this year.

In the first set, Zheng broke serve out of the rain delay for a 4-3 lead and then closed out the set on his serve for 6-4.

In the second set, Zheng got down 0-3 but broke back twice, hitting a brilliant backhand lob winner over a charging Marozsan for a 4-3 lead. He hit an inside-out crosscourt forehand winner to make it 5-3. Zheng again calmly closed out the set on his serve.

Zheng broke for 3-2 in the third set and then held easily to make it 4-2. He broke again for 5-2 before closing it out on his serve.

Columbia AD Peter Pilling was among the Columbia faithful on Court 10 and was impressed by the support for Zheng.

"Great support from the crowd," he said. "Lots of Columbia people here. Sea of Light Blue."

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