Photo by: Ricky Bassman
Michael Zheng Repeats as ITA All-American in Singles
5/21/2024 4:52:00 PM | Men's Tennis
Zheng is the first Columbia singles player to repeat as an All-American since Winston Lin
STILLWATER, Okla. – Michael Zheng defeated VCU's Matisse Bobichon Tuesday afternoon at Oklahoma State's Michael and Anne Greenwood Tennis Center to earn back-to-back ITA All-American honors after reaching the round of 16 at the NCAA Men's Tennis Singles Championships last season.
Zheng becomes the first Columbia singles player to repeat as an All-American since Winston Lin did so by earning All-American status in 2014 and 2015. With the win Tuesday, Zheng improves to 28-9 overall in singles during the 2023-24 season.
"I am extremely proud of Michael," Bidyut K. Goswami Head Coach of Men's Tennis Howard Endelman '87CC said. "To make All-American in singles in both of his first two years at Columbia is a terrific accomplishment. I am pleased that although his opponent played great today, Michael stayed with it and kept persevering until he was able to secure the victory."
Zheng had to battle back in his match Tuesday as Bobichon worked quick to win the first set. Zheng rallied back to force a second set tiebreaker that he prevailed in, 7-2. Zheng then used an early break in the third set to complete the comeback, earning a 2-6, 7-6(2), 6-2 victory that secured his spot in the round of 16 on Wednesday.
Zheng round of 16 match will be against No. 7 seed Jacob Fearnley from TCU. Similar to Zheng's match, Fearnley dropped the first set against Auburn's Finlay Murgett before battling back to earn a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory in three sets.
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Zheng becomes the first Columbia singles player to repeat as an All-American since Winston Lin did so by earning All-American status in 2014 and 2015. With the win Tuesday, Zheng improves to 28-9 overall in singles during the 2023-24 season.
"I am extremely proud of Michael," Bidyut K. Goswami Head Coach of Men's Tennis Howard Endelman '87CC said. "To make All-American in singles in both of his first two years at Columbia is a terrific accomplishment. I am pleased that although his opponent played great today, Michael stayed with it and kept persevering until he was able to secure the victory."
Zheng had to battle back in his match Tuesday as Bobichon worked quick to win the first set. Zheng rallied back to force a second set tiebreaker that he prevailed in, 7-2. Zheng then used an early break in the third set to complete the comeback, earning a 2-6, 7-6(2), 6-2 victory that secured his spot in the round of 16 on Wednesday.
Zheng round of 16 match will be against No. 7 seed Jacob Fearnley from TCU. Similar to Zheng's match, Fearnley dropped the first set against Auburn's Finlay Murgett before battling back to earn a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory in three sets.
FOLLOWING THE LIONS
Stay up to date on all things Columbia Men's Tennis by following the Lions on X (@CULionsMTEN), Instagram (@culionsmten) and on Facebook (@ColumbiaAthletics).
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Tennis
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