Michael Zheng’s transition from college tennis to the US Open main draw culminated in his first Grand Slam victory, as he defeated Fabian Marozsan 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 in the opening round. The 22-year-old American, who earned a wildcard entry, showcased his skills by breaking Marozsan five times and securing 92% of his first-serve points, finishing the match in just under two hours. This victory was monumental for Zheng, a two-time NCAA singles champion from Columbia University, as it propelled him into the world’s top 100 in live rankings for the first time.
Growing up training at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Zheng’s win holds personal significance, marking a milestone in his rapid ascent over the past year. After qualifying for the Australian Open and achieving his first tour-level win, Zheng also reached the third round at Wimbledon. His next challenge will be against Chinese player Yunchaokete Bu in the subsequent round of the tournament.
Other American players also enjoyed success at Flushing Meadows. Ben Shelton advanced to the next round by defeating Hubert Hurkacz in a four-set match, winning 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (3), 7-5 in a contest that lasted nearly three hours. Shelton, the eighth seed, has consistently reached at least the third round in New York for four consecutive years. Frances Tiafoe maintained his impressive US Open streak by overcoming Japanese qualifier Rei Sakamoto 6-3, 7-6 (2), 7-5, advancing to the third round for the seventh year in a row.
In the women’s draw, third seed Jessica Pegula delivered a convincing performance, defeating former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin 6-3, 6-1 in just 56 minutes. Pegula is set to face Canada’s Leylah Fernandez in the next round. Taylor Townsend also sailed through with a dominant 6-1, 6-1 victory over Australia’s Taylah Preston, while Emma Navarro, Iva Jovic, and Alex Michelsen also progressed in the tournament.
Despite the overall success for American players, some faced challenges. Former US Open champion Sloane Stephens was defeated by Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk, and wildcard Sebastian Gorzny fell to 2021 champion Daniil Medvedev. Nevertheless, with Zheng breaking into the top 100 and the continued progression of Shelton and Tiafoe, the American contingent had a strong showing at this year’s US Open.