Columbia’s Michael Zheng Shines in ITA Conference Masters
Michael Zheng, the NCAA Singles Champion, is set to defend his title after a strong performance at the ITA Conference Masters in San Diego. The Montville, N.J. native won two matches, showcasing both skill and determination.
In his first match, Zheng faced Mikalai Bankou. After a shaky start, he quickly found his rhythm, securing a straight-sets victory at 6-4, 6-3. His ability to rally was evident, as he turned the tables on his opponent despite the early lead.
The quarterfinals saw Zheng take on Veljko Krstic from Elon. The stakes were high, with the winner earning a spot in the upcoming NCAA Championships. Zheng fought hard in a tense first set, clinching it with a tiebreak score of 7-6. He dominated the second set, winning 6-1, and continued his march toward the championship.
Across the tournament, Columbia teammate Sachin Palta also showed promise. He won against Lucas Andrade da Silva, a formidable opponent from South Carolina, with a decisive score of 6-2, 6-1. However, his journey ended in the round of 16 against UNC’s Niels Ratiu. After losing the first set 6-3, Palta pushed back to take the second set 6-3 but ultimately lost the match in the final set 6-2.
Nicolas Kotzen, another Columbia player, had a mixed tournament. He faced an early setback against William Manning from NC State. After a tough battle, he lost with a score of 6-3, 6-7, 7-6. Despite this, he bounced back in the consolation rounds, defeating Ben Sparks from Liberty 6-1, 6-2 and continuing his winning streak against Princeton’s Sebastian Sec.
The NCAA Singles Championships will kick off soon, with brackets being released on Saturday, Nov. 15, and the matches starting on Nov. 18 in Lake Nona, Fla. Zheng’s upcoming draw will be eagerly anticipated, as fans and experts alike are curious to see if he can reclaim his title.
Amid the excitement, it’s worth noting that the landscape of college tennis has evolved considerably. A recent survey by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) indicated a 20% increase in participation in NCAA men’s tennis over the past decade. This rise showcases the growing interest in the sport, making Zheng’s achievements even more significant.
For those wanting to keep up with Columbia Men’s Tennis, updates can be found on their social media platforms, where the community shares insights, highlights, and news.
