Michael Zheng’s ‘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