Gamecocks Add Two Wins at Carolinas Invitational

Nov. 2, 2012

ROCK HILL, S.C. – South Carolina men’s tennis collected two wins on day one of the Carolinas Invitational at Memorial Courts at Winthrop University. Senior Harry Menzies closed out a three-set victory in convincing fashion after he and sophomore Ben Barnette swept their opponent in doubles to open the day.

The Gamecocks got off to a quick start in doubles Friday afternoon with Menzies and Barnette defeating Tennessee Tech’s Vasily Eremeev and Artem and Tarasov 8-0. South Carolina’s duo will take on Matt Waissen and Daniel Kripak of UNC Asheville at 9 a.m. Saturday.

The two Gamecocks carried that momentum into singles play with both winning their first set. Menzies was matched up with Georgia State’s Thomas Cook, a two-time all-conference selection for the Panthers, and took the opening set 6-4. The two battled back and forth in the second set with Cook edging out Menzies 6-4 to set up the third set. There, all the work Menzies had put in to come back from an injury paid off as he outlasted GSU’s junior 6-1 to advance to the quarterfinals, where he will take on Gaston Murray of UNC Greensboro on Saturday at 10 a.m.

Barnette also started quickly, claiming the first set from Winthrop’s Peter Nagovnak 6-2. The transfer from Tennessee stretched the match to a third set with a late service break to win the second set 7-5. Barnette battled in the third set, but saw Nagovnak hold onto a break advantage to take the 6-4 victory. Barnette will face Campbell’s Fernando Guillen in the back draw on Saturday morning.

Saturday’s action is set for two singles matches and one doubles contest, setting up the finals for both on Sunday afternoon.