Men’s Tennis Suffers First Defeat of the Season

March 2, 2003

Oxford, Miss. – The South Carolina men’s tennis team fell 4-2 at the hands of No. 8 Mississippi on Sunday. The match was moved indoors do to frigid temperatures in the area. With the loss South Carolina falls to 8-1 (1-1 SEC) and Ole Miss improves to 7-2 (1-1 SEC). South Carolina’s 8-0 start was the team’s best since going 9-0 to start the 1997 season.

The Rebels jumped ahead early, claiming the doubles point with victories at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles. Despite a formidable run at the upset in singles play, the Gamecocks came up just short.

Angelo Niculescu provided the Gamecocks with a spark by claiming a comeback with over Catalin Gard by a score of 1-6, 7-5, 6-4. With the victory Niculescu improves to 16-5 on the year, including nine consecutive victories in dual match play.

Carl Wermee earned a victory at the No. 5 position for South Carolina’s second point of the match. Wermee used straight sets to down Patrick Chucri 7-5, 6-4. Wermee improves to 6-0 on the year with the victory.

South Carolina returns home for their next contest, hosting LSU on March 7th at the Sam Daniel Tennis Center. Play is set to begin at 2:00 p.m.

#8 Ole Miss 4

#15 South Carolina 2

SINGLES

#1 Alex Hartman (OM) def. Seth Rose (USC) 6-3, 6-2

#2 Angelo Niculescu (USC) def. Catalin Gard (OM) 1-6, 7-5, 6-4

#3 Claes Lindholm (OM) def. Marcus Westman (USC) 6-1, 6-2

#4 Paul Ciorascu (OM) def. Tom Eklund (USC) 6-2, 6-4

#5 Carl Wermee (USC) def. Patrick Chucri (OM) 7-5, 6-4

#6 Karim Alayli (OM) vs. Ben Atkinson (USC) 6-5, OM, sus.

DOUBLES

#1 Hartman-Lindholm (OM) def. Eklund-Westman (USC) 8-4