Sunday, November 23
Orlando, Fla.
11:00 AM
Columbia University
vs
NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships
Photo by: Eric Espada/USTA
Photo by: Eric Espada/USTA
Photo by: Eric Espada/USTA
Photo by: Eric Espada/USTA
Photo by: Eric Espada/USTA
Photo by: Eric Espada/USTA
Photo by: Eric Espada/USTA
Photo by: Eric Espada/USTA
Photo by: Eric Espada/USTA
Michael Zheng Defends NCAA Singles Crown
11/23/2025 2:30:00 PM | Men's Tennis
Columbia senior becomes the ninth player in NCAA men’s tennis history to win back-to-back championships
ORLANDO, Fla. – Columbia senior Michael Zheng cemented his legacy as one of the greatest collegiate men's tennis players of all-time on Sunday, defeating SMU's Trevor Svajda, 6-4, 1-6, 6-3, to win his second consecutive national championship.
With the win, Zheng became the first men's tennis player to win back-to-back titles since USC's Steve Johnson did it in 2011 and 2012. Zheng becomes just the ninth player in NCAA history to win back-to-back titles, and the 10th to earn multiple NCAA Championships.
Sunday's victory also gives Zheng 19 career NCAA individual tournament wins, the most in NCAA history. He surpassed Virginia's Somdev Devvarman, who finished with 18 career victories in 2008.
Like the previous two matches, Zheng jumped out to an early lead, winning the first set. Unlike the last two matches, he found himself down in the set early. Trailing 2-1, Zheng was leading 40-15 in the set when Svajda scored three-straight points to take the set and go up 3-1.
Zheng regrouped, breaking serve for the first time to make it 2-3. He then held serve to tie the set, 3-3. After tying the set up again at 4-4, Zheng broke serve again to take the lead for good at 5-4. He held on to win the opening set 6-4.
In the second set, Svajda broke serve to take an early lead and control of the frame. Zheng broke serve to make it 2-1 in favor of Svajda, but the Mustang went on a run and took the set 6-1 to force a third and final set.
In the third frame, Zheng's serve came to life. In the first point of the opening set, he recorded his first ace of the match. He took the game without surrendering a point. Svajda briefly tied the set at 2-2 when Zheng took over.
The four-time All-American held serve to go up 3-2, then broke serve to take a 4-2 lead and closed out the match, holding serve to win 6-3.
Zheng becomes the ninth player in NCAA history to win back-to-back titles, dating back to 1938 when the NCAA first started sponsoring men's tennis. The list includes Frank Guernsey from Rice (1938, '39), Miami's Francisco Segura (1943, '44, '45), Tulane's Hamilton Richardson (1953, '54), USC's Dennis Ralston (1963, '64), Georgia's Mikael Pernfors (1984, '85) and Matias Boeker (2001, '02), Virginia's Devvarman (2007, '08) and USC's Johnson (2011, '12).
Zheng and the Lions will return to action this spring for the team championship season. Columbia is looking to make another deep run in the NCAA Tournament after back-to-back Elite Eight appearances.
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).
With the win, Zheng became the first men's tennis player to win back-to-back titles since USC's Steve Johnson did it in 2011 and 2012. Zheng becomes just the ninth player in NCAA history to win back-to-back titles, and the 10th to earn multiple NCAA Championships.
Sunday's victory also gives Zheng 19 career NCAA individual tournament wins, the most in NCAA history. He surpassed Virginia's Somdev Devvarman, who finished with 18 career victories in 2008.
Like the previous two matches, Zheng jumped out to an early lead, winning the first set. Unlike the last two matches, he found himself down in the set early. Trailing 2-1, Zheng was leading 40-15 in the set when Svajda scored three-straight points to take the set and go up 3-1.
Zheng regrouped, breaking serve for the first time to make it 2-3. He then held serve to tie the set, 3-3. After tying the set up again at 4-4, Zheng broke serve again to take the lead for good at 5-4. He held on to win the opening set 6-4.
In the second set, Svajda broke serve to take an early lead and control of the frame. Zheng broke serve to make it 2-1 in favor of Svajda, but the Mustang went on a run and took the set 6-1 to force a third and final set.
In the third frame, Zheng's serve came to life. In the first point of the opening set, he recorded his first ace of the match. He took the game without surrendering a point. Svajda briefly tied the set at 2-2 when Zheng took over.
The four-time All-American held serve to go up 3-2, then broke serve to take a 4-2 lead and closed out the match, holding serve to win 6-3.
Zheng becomes the ninth player in NCAA history to win back-to-back titles, dating back to 1938 when the NCAA first started sponsoring men's tennis. The list includes Frank Guernsey from Rice (1938, '39), Miami's Francisco Segura (1943, '44, '45), Tulane's Hamilton Richardson (1953, '54), USC's Dennis Ralston (1963, '64), Georgia's Mikael Pernfors (1984, '85) and Matias Boeker (2001, '02), Virginia's Devvarman (2007, '08) and USC's Johnson (2011, '12).
Zheng and the Lions will return to action this spring for the team championship season. Columbia is looking to make another deep run in the NCAA Tournament after back-to-back Elite Eight appearances.
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
Highlights: MTEN | National Championship Highlights
Sunday, November 23
Postgame: MTEN | Michael Zheng on winning the NCAA singles championship
Sunday, November 24
Postgame: MTEN | Michael Zheng on advancing to the singles final at NCAA Championships
Saturday, November 23
Postgame: MTEN | Michael Zheng on advancing to semifinals at NCAA Championships
Friday, November 22
