Stefan Dostanic made a bold move by entering the transfer portal and enrolling at Wakwe Forest for a final year of college tennis.

Maybe he could have turned pro instead of opting for a graduate season?

The former Woodbridge and USC player made another bold leap Wednesday in Orlando, Fla., and credited his college decision.

Dostanic defeated reigning NCAA singles champion Michael Zheng of Columbia 6-1, 6-4 in the finals of the newly created American Collegiate Wild Card Playoffs to earn a berth in the U.S. Open in New York in late August.

In qualifying for his first Grand Slam, Dostanic said the confidence he developed this past season helping Wake Forest claim the NCAA title played a key role in the triumph.

“I’ve had a great leap now to the start of my pro career,” he said in a phone interview from the USTA National Campus in Orlando. “I’m playing with a lot of confidence. Never felt better in my game than now. It helps winning with a team. It helps coming through for the team in clutch moments.”

“Coming through in a high-stakes match like this, it just keeps fueling me, keeps giving me more confidence so I’m very happy.”

Dostanic was named the outstanding player at the NCAA tournament. He praised Wake Forest coach Tony Bresky and assistant Brian Baker for his furthering his development.

Now based in Boca Raton, Fla., Dostanic has won three ITF World Tennis Tour singles titles in the past 12 months.

Dostanic, a two-time O.C. Register player of the year, said his parents Ksenia and Bata still reside in Irvine and watched Wednesday’s final online.

“For sure, they were locked-in every point,” he said. “I still haven’t got to text anyone back yet.”