Friday, November 21
Orlando, Fla.
Michigan State University
vs
NCAA Individual Championships
Baris’ NCAA Tournament Run Comes To End In Quarterfinals
11/21/2025 4:04:00 PM | Men's Tennis
Baris pushes Columbia’s Michael Zheng to three sets in the Elite Eight Battle
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State men's tennis senior Ozan Baris closed out competition at the NCAA Individual Championships after advancing to the quarterfinals for the third-straight year on Friday. In a high-level battle against Michael Zheng from Columbia, the Spartan's NCAA Tournament came to a close in the Elite Eight.
Baris came out strong, winning the first set 6-4. Zheng then tightened the score, winning the second set and forcing a third. After a tight competition, Baris ultimately fell 6-4, 3-6, 2-6 in a rematch of last year's final, also won by Zheng.
Baris had a strong performance throughout the tournament, earning three straight-set victories in a row to advance him all the way to the Elite Eight. Baris took on many top ranked opponents and came out victorious, earned All-American honors for the fourth time in his career, and made it to the quarterfinals for the third year in a row. His appearance marks another milestone for one of the most accomplished players in program history.
The Spartans were also represented by sophomore Matthew Forbes, who delivered a standout performance of his own. Forbes advanced to the round of 16, notching multiple ranked wins and earning All-American honors for the first time in his career, before his first NCAA Tournament appearance ended on Thursday.
Following the tournament, the Spartans are ready to get back in action for team dual play in the spring season in mid January.
Round of 64:
Matthew Forbes (MSU) def. Pablo Martinez Gomez (Vanderbilt) 3-6, 7-6, 6-4
Ozan Baris (MSU) def. Jangjun Kim (Virginia) 6-2, 7-6
Round of 32:
Matthew Forbes (MSU) def. Cosme Rolland De Ravel (TCU) 6-1, 6-4
Ozan Baris (MSU) def. Roan Jones (North Carolina) 6-2, 7-5
Round of 16:
Max Dahlin (Michigan) def. Matthew Forbes (MSU) 5-7, 6-1, 6-7 (3-7)
Ozan Baris (MSU) def. Ilia Snitari (UNLV) 6-4, 7-6
Elite Eight:
Michael Zheng (Columbia) def. Ozan Baris (MSU) 6-4, 3-6, 2-6
Baris came out strong, winning the first set 6-4. Zheng then tightened the score, winning the second set and forcing a third. After a tight competition, Baris ultimately fell 6-4, 3-6, 2-6 in a rematch of last year's final, also won by Zheng.
Baris had a strong performance throughout the tournament, earning three straight-set victories in a row to advance him all the way to the Elite Eight. Baris took on many top ranked opponents and came out victorious, earned All-American honors for the fourth time in his career, and made it to the quarterfinals for the third year in a row. His appearance marks another milestone for one of the most accomplished players in program history.
The Spartans were also represented by sophomore Matthew Forbes, who delivered a standout performance of his own. Forbes advanced to the round of 16, notching multiple ranked wins and earning All-American honors for the first time in his career, before his first NCAA Tournament appearance ended on Thursday.
Following the tournament, the Spartans are ready to get back in action for team dual play in the spring season in mid January.
Round of 64:
Matthew Forbes (MSU) def. Pablo Martinez Gomez (Vanderbilt) 3-6, 7-6, 6-4
Ozan Baris (MSU) def. Jangjun Kim (Virginia) 6-2, 7-6
Round of 32:
Matthew Forbes (MSU) def. Cosme Rolland De Ravel (TCU) 6-1, 6-4
Ozan Baris (MSU) def. Roan Jones (North Carolina) 6-2, 7-5
Round of 16:
Max Dahlin (Michigan) def. Matthew Forbes (MSU) 5-7, 6-1, 6-7 (3-7)
Ozan Baris (MSU) def. Ilia Snitari (UNLV) 6-4, 7-6
Elite Eight:
Michael Zheng (Columbia) def. Ozan Baris (MSU) 6-4, 3-6, 2-6
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
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