STILLWATER, Okla. – No. 23 Michael Zheng will compete for a national title Saturday after clawing back to knock off No. 22 Colton Smith (Arizona) in three sets in the semifinals at the NCAA Singles Championships Friday.
 
Zheng's historic run through the NCAA Singles Championships now includes wins over No. 32 Govind Nanda (UCLA), No. 120 Matisse Bobichon (VCU), No. 7 Jake Fearnley (TCU), No. 19 JJ Tracy (Ohio State) and No. 22 Smith (Arizona). Zheng is the first singles player in program history to advance to the singles semifinals and he will now be the first in program history to play in the national championship match.
 
"We are so proud of Michael and how he represents Columbia University with such character and class," Bidyut K. Goswami Head Coach of Men's Tennis Howard Endelman '87CC said. "He showed perseverance and grit today after Colton started off so strong. It has been an extremely physical NCAA event in Stillwater for the past two weeks – team and individual – and Michael has won his last four matches in three sets. We are happy about today and are looking forward to another opportunity tomorrow."
 
Smith cruised through the first set, 6-1, to quickly hold the advantage in Friday's semifinal match. Zheng responded with a strong performance in the second set to force a third set. Zheng and Smith exchanged breaks late in the third set, but Zheng secured the last break that allowed him to escape with a 1-6, 6-3, 7-5 victory to earn a spot in the national championship match.
 
"It's tough when you are a little nervous and you know he's a little nervous, but he's not missing a ball and it's on you to take the initiative and take the match instead of having him give it to you," Zheng said. "I thought I served pretty good in big moments in that last game and in the deuce point. I am happy to get it done."
 
Zheng will face another familiar opponent in Saturday's championship match as he plays Alabama's Filip Planinsek for the second time this season and the third time overall. The two last met in February when Columbia defeated Alabama as part of the ITA National Team Indoor Championships. Zheng and Planinsek split the first two sets, but their match went unfinished. Planinsek's run to the championship match includes wins over No. 118 Jonas Hartenstein (North Florida), No. 17 Cannon Kinglsey (Ohio State), No. 5 Micah Braswell (Texas), No. 15 Cooper Williams (Harvard) and No. 9 Ozan Baris (Michigan State).
 
First serve Saturday is set for Noon ET with streaming on ESPN+ or through Track Tennis. Live scoring can also be accessed HERE. 
 
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