Columbia's Michael Zheng wins NCAA men's singles title in all-American final
In the first all-American NCAA men's singles final since 2017, Columbia's Michael Zheng beat Michigan State's Ozan Baris to claim the 2024-25 Division I singles crown on Sunday in Waco, Texas. With his 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 victory, Zheng became Columbia's first NCAA singles champion since 1906 and the first men’s Ivy Leaguer to win the title in more than a century.
The first player to reach back-to-back men's NCAA singles finals since Steve Johnson of USC in 2011 and 2012, Zheng made amends for his defeat to Alabama's Filip Planinsek in the title match last spring.
“Honestly, it’s a huge relief,” said the 20-year-old junior, who hails from Montville, N.J. “It feels amazing to finally get it done and get the title for myself and Columbia.”
After dropping the second set, Zheng took control of the third with an early break and never looked back.
“I knew it was going to be a tough match today,” he continued. “I knew [Baris] wanted it really bad and he was going to come out and give it his best. I kind of just did the same. I thought I’m just going to make this third set as tough as possible. I’m happy to get it done.”
Zheng's victory was the cherry on top of a big weekend for Columbia athletics. On Saturday, the Lions' football program clinched its first Ivy League football in 63 years.
Columbia University's Michael Zheng lifts the 2024 NCAA men's singles title. Photo credit: Greg Sharko/Cracked Racquets.
An American also reached the singles final on the women's side, with Auburn's DJ Bennett finishing as runner-up. The junior from Belleview, Fla., is the first player from her school to reach the NCAA singles title match. She was beaten, 6-3, 6-3, by Georgia’s Dasha Vidmanova, from Czechia, in the championship round.
The NCAA individual tournaments were held in the fall for the first time this season as part of a two-year pilot program aimed at improving student-athlete well-being. The 2025 NCAA team championships will be held from May 15-18, 2025, back at Baylor's facility in Waco.
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