Michael Zheng Finishes as Runner-Up at Caribbean Open ATP Challenger Event
6/20/2023 3:46:00 PM | Men's Tennis
Alex Kotzen makes a run to the semi-finals of the ITF M15 in San Diego
PALMAS DEL MAR, Puerto Rico – Michael Zheng's run at the Caribbean Open Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Challenger event came to an end Sunday afternoon as he came up short in the finals to former World No. 4 Kei Nishikori, 2-6, 5-7.
Zheng battled through the qualifiers bracket, winning two matches to earn a spot in the main draw. The All-American notched his first win in the main draw over Steven Diez (Canada) in a two-set, 6-3, 6-0 victory.
The win streak continued in the round of 16 as Zheng posted a 6-1, 6-3 win over former ATP No. 56 Marius Copil (Romania). Zheng then knocked off the No. 8 seed and former ATP No. 224 Alexis Galarneau (Canada) in the quarterfinals, 6-3, 0-6, 6-3. Zheng followed that up with a 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 win against former ATP No. 256 Beibit Zhukayev (Kazakhstan) in the semi-finals to earn a spot in the finals against Nishikori. Zheng wrapped up the challenger event with a runner-up finish as he lost to Nishikori, 2-6, 5-7 in the finals.
Following an impressive week on the court, Zheng improved his ATP ranking 575 spots as he currently is ranked No. 543 in ATP singles.
Alex Kotzen Advances to Semi-Finals of ITF M15 Event in San Diego
Alex Kotzen won back-to-back matches in the qualifiers bracket to lock in a spot in the main draw of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) M15 Event in San Diego last week.
Kotzen pulled out a three-set, 6-7, 7-5, 6-0 win over Derek Pham (Australia) in the first round of the main draw. Kotzen then posted a 6-2, 6-2 victory against No. 2 seed Colin Markes (United States) in the second round. Kotzen met up with fellow qualifier Cash Hanzlik (United States) in the quarterfinals as Kotzen battled to earn a 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 win to advance to the semi-finals. Kotzen was defeated by Lorenzo Claverie (Italy) in the semis, 2-6, 6-7.
Ishaan Ravichander also competed at the M15 event in San Diego. Ravichander defeated Daniel De Jonge (Netherlands), 6-1, 6-1 in the first round of qualifying. Ravichander was defeated by Hanzlik, 4-6, 6-3, 7-10 in the second round of the qualifiers draw.
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Zheng battled through the qualifiers bracket, winning two matches to earn a spot in the main draw. The All-American notched his first win in the main draw over Steven Diez (Canada) in a two-set, 6-3, 6-0 victory.
The win streak continued in the round of 16 as Zheng posted a 6-1, 6-3 win over former ATP No. 56 Marius Copil (Romania). Zheng then knocked off the No. 8 seed and former ATP No. 224 Alexis Galarneau (Canada) in the quarterfinals, 6-3, 0-6, 6-3. Zheng followed that up with a 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 win against former ATP No. 256 Beibit Zhukayev (Kazakhstan) in the semi-finals to earn a spot in the finals against Nishikori. Zheng wrapped up the challenger event with a runner-up finish as he lost to Nishikori, 2-6, 5-7 in the finals.
Following an impressive week on the court, Zheng improved his ATP ranking 575 spots as he currently is ranked No. 543 in ATP singles.
Alex Kotzen Advances to Semi-Finals of ITF M15 Event in San Diego
Alex Kotzen won back-to-back matches in the qualifiers bracket to lock in a spot in the main draw of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) M15 Event in San Diego last week.
Kotzen pulled out a three-set, 6-7, 7-5, 6-0 win over Derek Pham (Australia) in the first round of the main draw. Kotzen then posted a 6-2, 6-2 victory against No. 2 seed Colin Markes (United States) in the second round. Kotzen met up with fellow qualifier Cash Hanzlik (United States) in the quarterfinals as Kotzen battled to earn a 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 win to advance to the semi-finals. Kotzen was defeated by Lorenzo Claverie (Italy) in the semis, 2-6, 6-7.
Ishaan Ravichander also competed at the M15 event in San Diego. Ravichander defeated Daniel De Jonge (Netherlands), 6-1, 6-1 in the first round of qualifying. Ravichander was defeated by Hanzlik, 4-6, 6-3, 7-10 in the second round of the qualifiers draw.
FOLLOWING THE LIONS
Stay up to date on all things Columbia Men's Tennis by following the Lions on Twitter (@CULionsMTEN), Instagram (@culionsmten) and on Facebook (@ColumbiaAthletics).
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