Michael Zhengs tremendous US Open opportunity is no surprise to his former coach

His family valued an Ivy League degree, providing the aspiring pro with a foundation for Plan B.He was ranked outside the top 700 just 15 months ago, having never appeared in the main draw of a Grand Slam tournament.

He lived in a Columbia dorm with five roommates this spring, taking mandatory in-person classes to complete his psychology degree. Why would anyone put a ceiling on Michael Zheng now? After debuting at each of the international Grand Slams this year — including a run to the third round at Wimbledon, where he became the first reigning NCAA singles champion to advance that far since 1981 — the 22-year-old New Jersey native has the chance to make the run of a lifetime in his first appearance at the U.S.Open. On Saturday, Zheng — who failed to advance out of qualifying in Queens the previous three years — will play in the third round against lucky loser Arthur Gea, carrying a career-best live ranking of 88th in the world into the match. “It always felt like Michael would get there eventually, given his ability and his work ethic and his mental toughness, but I don’t think there’s anyone who would say that three and a half months after graduation he’d be in the third round at a major for the second time,” said Howie Endelman, Zheng’s former coach at Columbia.

“When you look at what’s happened in the draw, there’s a tremendous opportunity now.” Should Zheng advance, he would face either No.31 Zizou Bergs or Dutch veteran Botic van de Zandschulp for a chance to advance to the quarterfinals, playing in a section of the bracket that has already seen No.

6 Alex de Minaur and No.12 Rafael Jodar eliminated.

Should Zheng lose, he has already guaranteed himself at least $290,000 less than three months after earning less than $2,500 in ATP Challenger events. “I think he’s an incredible player,” said Tommy Paul, the No.20 seed.

“He’s going to be a problem on the tour for a lot of people.” Zheng has faced Gea twice thi...