In a stunning display of skill at the US Open, Michael Zheng celebrated a significant milestone in his tennis career by achieving his first Grand Slam victory. The 22-year-old American wildcard, who has a distinguished background as a two-time NCAA singles champion from Columbia University, triumphed over Fabian Marozsan with a score of 6-4, 6-4, 6-2. Competing in front of an enthusiastic home crowd, Zheng showcased his prowess by breaking his opponent’s serve five times and winning 92% of his first-serve points, securing his win in just under two hours.
For Zheng, this victory held particular meaning as it marked a return to his roots. As a child, he frequently traveled from New Jersey to train at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, where he now achieved this landmark win. The success propelled him into the top 100 in the live rankings, a first in his career. Zheng’s progress has been swift over the past year, highlighted by his qualification for the Australian Open and reaching the third round at Wimbledon. His next challenge comes in the form of a match against Chinese player Yunchaokete Bu.
American players enjoyed a productive day at Flushing Meadows, with Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe also advancing in the tournament. Shelton emerged victorious against Hubert Hurkacz after a demanding four-set encounter, winning 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (3), 7-5 over nearly three hours. This victory ensures Shelton’s streak of reaching at least the third round at the US Open continues for a fourth straight year. Tiafoe maintained his consistent record at the event by defeating Japanese qualifier Rei Sakamoto 6-3, 7-6 (2), 7-5, marking his seventh consecutive appearance in the third round.
In the women’s draw, third seed Jessica Pegula delivered a commanding performance, defeating former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin 6-3, 6-1 in just 56 minutes. Pegula’s next opponent will be Canada’s Leylah Fernandez. Taylor Townsend also advanced emphatically, defeating Australia’s Taylah Preston 6-1, 6-1. Joining her in progressing to the next round were Emma Navarro, Iva Jovic, and Alex Michelsen.
Despite the successes, there were disappointments for some American players. Former US Open champion Sloane Stephens was ousted by Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk, while wildcard Sebastian Gorzny was defeated by 2021 champion Daniil Medvedev. Nonetheless, Zheng’s breakthrough into the top 100, alongside the continued progress of Shelton and Tiafoe, underscored a day of positive results for the American contingent at the prestigious tournament.