Photo by: Columbia University Athletics / Lem Photography
Michael Zheng Advances to the Quarterfinals
11/20/2025 1:38:00 PM | Men's Tennis
Columbia senior will face the winner of Roan Jones vs. Ozan Baris
ORLANDO, Fla. – Columbia men's tennis senior Michael Zheng was in total control throughout his third-round match, defeating Clemson's Romain Gales in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2, to advance to Friday's quarterfinals of the NCAA Singles National Championships.
After surrendering the first point of the match, Zheng broke Gales' serve and won four consecutive games to take a commanding 4-1 lead in the first set.
Gales, who opened the tournament with an upset over No. 2-seeded Duncan Chan of TCU, won back-to-back games to make it 4-3 in the first. From there, Zheng took over, breaking serve to go up 5-3 and closed out the set in the following game.
In the second set, Gales once again took the first game. But Zheng responded by winning six of the last seven games.
Zheng, the Ivy League's first four-time All-American in men's tennis, will continue his title defense on Friday when he takes on the winner of Roan Jones of North Carolina vs. Ozan Baris of Michigan State. Zheng defeated Baris to clinch last year's singles championships, defeating the Spartan 6-2, 4-6, 6-2.
Friday's match will be streamed live on ESPN+. Fans can also follow the action via live results, available here.
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).
After surrendering the first point of the match, Zheng broke Gales' serve and won four consecutive games to take a commanding 4-1 lead in the first set.
Gales, who opened the tournament with an upset over No. 2-seeded Duncan Chan of TCU, won back-to-back games to make it 4-3 in the first. From there, Zheng took over, breaking serve to go up 5-3 and closed out the set in the following game.
In the second set, Gales once again took the first game. But Zheng responded by winning six of the last seven games.
Zheng, the Ivy League's first four-time All-American in men's tennis, will continue his title defense on Friday when he takes on the winner of Roan Jones of North Carolina vs. Ozan Baris of Michigan State. Zheng defeated Baris to clinch last year's singles championships, defeating the Spartan 6-2, 4-6, 6-2.
Friday's match will be streamed live on ESPN+. Fans can also follow the action via live results, available here.
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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