Photo by: AP
Michael Zheng Victorious In Main Draw Debut
1/18/2026 10:27:00 AM | Men's Tennis
Four-time All-American takes down former top-15 player in opening round of Australian Open
MELBOURNE – Making his debut in the main draw of a major tournament, Columbia men's tennis senior Michael Zheng upset fellow American Sebastian Korda in five sets, 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(7), 6-3 in the opening round of the Australian Open.
It was Zheng's first career victory in the main draw of a major tournament. Taking on Korda, who is currently ranked No. 51 in the ATP rankings, Zheng, who qualified for the main draw after winning three matches in the qualifier, seized momentum in the match early, winning the first two sets 6-4.
Leading 2-0 in his first appearance in a Grand Slam, Zheng said he did not feel that nervous.
"I feel like when you are playing for college, you're playing for something bigger than yourself. So there's a lot of people supporting you. You really want to win for yourself and for your school. I actually felt more nervous, I think going into the finals of NCAAs than this match, surprisingly."
Korda rallied back in the third and fourth sets, winning the latter 7-6(7) in the tiebreaker.
Heading into the fifth set, Zheng believed all the pressure was on Korda, one of the top Americans, who was previously ranked as high as No. 15 in the world.
"A lot of the pressure is on him, so I'm just going to try to put that pressure, make the return, and try to start the point on the offense," Zheng said in his news conference. "That was kind of the mentality going into the fifth."
With the deciding set tied 2-2, Zheng broke the tie, breaking Korda's serve to take a 3-2 lead. He took control of the set, holding serve to go up 4-2. Korda won game seven in the third set to make it 4-3 Zheng, who then held serve to make it 5-3. In the final game, Korda double-faulted twice to give the match to Zheng.
As he has for most of his career, Zheng's steady play carried him throughout the match, which started just after 11:30 p.m. Eastern time and finished just after 3:13 a.m. local time. Korda, who had a 22-4 advantage in aces, finished the match with 58 unforced errors compared to Zheng's 29.
With the win, Zheng advances to the second round, where he will face No. 31 Corentin Moutet of France on Wednesday. The time for that match is to be determined.
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).
It was Zheng's first career victory in the main draw of a major tournament. Taking on Korda, who is currently ranked No. 51 in the ATP rankings, Zheng, who qualified for the main draw after winning three matches in the qualifier, seized momentum in the match early, winning the first two sets 6-4.
Leading 2-0 in his first appearance in a Grand Slam, Zheng said he did not feel that nervous.
"I feel like when you are playing for college, you're playing for something bigger than yourself. So there's a lot of people supporting you. You really want to win for yourself and for your school. I actually felt more nervous, I think going into the finals of NCAAs than this match, surprisingly."
Korda rallied back in the third and fourth sets, winning the latter 7-6(7) in the tiebreaker.
Heading into the fifth set, Zheng believed all the pressure was on Korda, one of the top Americans, who was previously ranked as high as No. 15 in the world.
"A lot of the pressure is on him, so I'm just going to try to put that pressure, make the return, and try to start the point on the offense," Zheng said in his news conference. "That was kind of the mentality going into the fifth."
With the deciding set tied 2-2, Zheng broke the tie, breaking Korda's serve to take a 3-2 lead. He took control of the set, holding serve to go up 4-2. Korda won game seven in the third set to make it 4-3 Zheng, who then held serve to make it 5-3. In the final game, Korda double-faulted twice to give the match to Zheng.
As he has for most of his career, Zheng's steady play carried him throughout the match, which started just after 11:30 p.m. Eastern time and finished just after 3:13 a.m. local time. Korda, who had a 22-4 advantage in aces, finished the match with 58 unforced errors compared to Zheng's 29.
With the win, Zheng advances to the second round, where he will face No. 31 Corentin Moutet of France on Wednesday. The time for that match is to be determined.
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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