Three-Set Battle Ends Gazeu’s NCAA Run

ORLANDO, Fla. – South Carolina’s Paul Barbier Gazeu opened his first-round match at the NCAA Individual Singles Championship with a tight three-set battle but ultimately came up short, falling 4-6, 6-1, 3-6 to North Carolina’s Roan Jones on Tuesday evening.

In the opening set, the two traded early leads before Jones strung together a late push to take it 6-4. Barbier Gazeu responded with authority in the second, grabbing the first game and never letting up. The sophomore controlled the tempo throughout, dropping only one game on his way to a dominant 6-1 finish to even the match.

The deciding set swung quickly as Jones built a 4-1 advantage after erasing Barbier Gazeu’s 40–15 lead in the third game. The Tarheel extended it to 5-1, but Barbier Gazeu managed to rally, winning back-to-back games and pushing to deuce at 5-3. Despite the late surge, the Gamecock couldn’t complete the comeback, ultimately dropping the match to Jones.

Sean Daryabeigi and Max Stenzer compete in the first round of the doubles section tomorrow, facing a duo from North Carolina.

Continue to check GamecocksOnline.com and the team’s social media accounts (@GamecockMTennis) for the most up-to-date information on the men’s tennis season.