College Tennis Sensation Michael Zheng Shocks the World by Defeating Top Seed Sebastian Korda – What Happens Next?

MELBOURNE, Australia — Michael Zheng, a senior psychology major and two-time NCAA champion at Columbia University, is making headlines during his winter break from college sports in chilly New York City. Zheng recently triumphed in the Australian Open qualifying rounds, winning three matches, and then pulled off an impressive upset against fellow American Sebastian Korda in the first round, winning in five sets: 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(0), 6-3.

“Definitely was not easy out here,” Zheng acknowledged on the court after the match, adding a personal touch by writing “Go Lions” on a camera lens, taking his college team’s spirit all the way to Australia.

Korda, who reached the quarterfinals at the Australian Open three years ago and has struggled with injuries for the past two seasons, started off slow. In contrast, Zheng came out strong, showing patience and precision in rallies while striking when necessary. He quickly established a two-set lead.

Midway through the match, Zheng's college coach, Howard Endelman, sent a text from 10,000 miles away, expressing pride in his player’s performance.

As Korda began to find his rhythm in the third set, Zheng maintained his composure on a warm, breezy afternoon. When Korda made a critical error and sent a ball long while serving for the fourth set, Zheng took full advantage, sealing the game with a powerful forehand winner.

The fourth set went to a tiebreak, which Korda won decisively, 7-0, pushing the match into a crucial fifth set. Historically, Korda had never come back from a 0-2 set deficit to win a match, while Zheng was competing in his first main-draw Grand Slam match.

“A lot of the pressure is on him, so I’m just going to try to put that pressure on him, make the return, and start the point offensively,” Zheng said after the match, revealing his strategic mindset heading into the decisive sets.

When the crowd began chanting “Let’s go Michael!” for a player many were unfamiliar with, Zheng seized the opportunity. On a key break point, he unleashed a powerful return that caught Korda off guard, leading to another critical error from his opponent.

As the match progressed, Zheng fended off break points while delivering precise shots, including a remarkable backhand pass from outside the tram lines that emphasized his skill under pressure. A series of errors from Korda, including two double faults, ultimately handed Zheng the victory.

Collegiate champions have a history of success at the Australian Open, with examples like Ben Shelton, who made it to the quarterfinals in 2023 shortly after winning the NCAA title. Zheng reflected on how his collegiate experience has equipped him for such high-stakes moments. “I feel like when you are playing for college, you’re playing for something bigger than yourself,” he explained. “There’s a lot of people supporting you. I actually felt more nervous going into the finals of NCAAs than this match, surprisingly.”

Despite their contrasting backgrounds—Zheng, the son of IT executives from northern New Jersey, and Shelton, a towering figure from Florida with a powerful serve—Zheng’s style is characterized by patience and tactical awareness rather than raw power.

His performance caught the attention of fellow American player Frances Tiafoe, who remarked, “He must be damn near a genius. The guy qualified and now he’s beating Korda. It’s crazy.” Tiafoe praised Zheng’s accomplishment, adding, “Shout-out to Columbia. Hopefully he stays in college and doesn’t continue to take out all the Americans.”

As Zheng secures his place as a rising star, his achievements are already significant. In 2024, he became the first Columbia Lion to win a college singles championship in over a century and made history by defending his title successfully. While he pondered a transition to professional tennis after his first NCAA win, he opted to complete his psychology degree, balancing collegiate play with professional tournaments. He expressed his commitment to finishing his degree this spring while helping his team vie for a title in May, with just 15 credits remaining.

Zheng’s success also comes with financial implications. Qualifying for the main draw earned him approximately $100,000, plus another $50,000 for his victory over Korda. However, as a college player, he must navigate NCAA regulations on accepting prize money, which complicates his situation. “I don’t want to get into trouble,” Zheng noted, showing awareness of the complexities he faces.

With the Australian Open still ongoing, Zheng is prepared for his next challenge against Corentin Moutet of France. Coach Endelman praised Zheng’s work ethic and courage: “Very proud of Michael. Such special courage. When you do that much work when nobody is watching, you give yourself a chance.” Back in New York, Columbia’s men’s tennis team, currently ranked No. 10 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association rankings, is gearing up for a match against No. 18 South Carolina, hoping to replicate their recent successes—successes that may be bolstered if Zheng continues to perform well on the international stage.