Gamecocks Dominate Clemson in Regular-Season Finale
April 20, 2018
No. 28 South Carolina 6, Clemson 1
ANDERSON, S.C. — No. 28 South Carolina men’s tennis (18-7, 7-5 SEC) clinched a fourth-straight win over in-state rival Clemson with a dominant 6-1 win on Friday night at the Anderson University Tennis Facility.
The Gamecocks clinched the doubles point for a fifth-straight match and in their final career match against Clemson, seniors Gabriel Friedrich and Wood Benton closed out wins in the Nos. 2 and 6 matches, respectively, to secure the team win for South Carolina.
The win also secured a third-straight win for South Carolina, which entered the match with a 7-5 lead, in the annual Palmetto Series against Clemson.
DOUBLES
The Gamecocks got off to a quick start in doubles as No. 64 Thomas Mayronne and Gabriel Friedrich won a third-straight match with a 6-1 win over Sam Edwards and Yizhou Liu.
South Carolina then put away its fifth-straight doubles win as No. 59 Harrison O’Keefe and Yancy Dennis grabbed a 6-3 victory over 47th-ranked Alex Favrot and Simon Baudry at the top of the lineup.
“We’ve been on a good streak and felt we were the better team coming in, but you always have to go and prove that. That’s what the guys did today from the start in doubles,” said South Carolina Head Coach Josh Goffi.
DOUBLES (2,1*)
1. (59) Harrison O’Keefe/Yancy Dennis (SC) def. (47) Alex Favrot/Simon Baudry (CU) 6-3
2. (64) Gabriel Friedrich/Thomas Mayronne (SC) def. Sam Edwards/Yizhou Liu (CU) 6-1
3. Marshall Dagostine/Carlos Kelaidis (CU) vs. Paul Jubb/Wood Benton (SC) 4-3, unfinished
SINGLES
South Carolina continued to control play into singles as the Gamecocks picked up first-set wins on four of six courts.
“During singles, the guys came out with the same focus, same tenacity and slowly chipped away until the matches opened up. Three or four of the matches just absolutely opened up ââ’¬” the floor fell out from the Clemson guys and the scores rolled in the same direction,” explained Goffi.
Sophomore Paul Jubb followed up a 6-4 first set with a dominant 6-1 second set to clinch his sixth ranked win of the season, taking down No. 66 Alex Favrot, playing at the top of the Gamecocks’ lineup for the first time in his career.
Seniors Gabriel Friedrich and Wood Benton then closed out decisive wins within seconds of each other. Friedrich picked up a 6-2, 6-2 win, and Benton topped his opponent 6-1, 6-2 to clinch the team win for South Carolina.
“I love the fact that Gabe (Friedrich) and Wood (Benton) basically had a simultaneous clinch. For the seniors, going out 4-0 against Clemson- that’s hard to do, not many people have been able to do that and that’s a testament to what they’ve brought to the program,” said Goffi.
Harrison O’Keefe later put away a 6-2, 6-4 win at the No. 5 position, which was followed by Yancy Dennis overcoming a first-set loss to win 4-6, 6-4, 1-0 (4).
SINGLES (1,2,6*,5,4,3)
1. (63) Paul Jubb (SC) def. (66) Alex Favrot (CU) 6-4, 6-1
2. (33) Gabriel Friedrich (SC) def. Simon Baudry (CU) 6-2, 6-2
3. Yizhou Liu (CU) def. Thomas Mayronne (SC) 6-4, 3-6, 1-0 (4)
4. Yancy Dennis (SC) def. Sam Edwards (CU) 4-6, 6-4, 1-0 (4)
5. Harrison O’Keefe (SC) def. Carlos Kelaidis (CU) 6-2, 6-4
6. Wood Benton (SC) def. Wes Quattlebaum (CU) 6-1, 6-2
QUOTABLE
On overall reaction to Friday’s win
“With the Palmetto Series point on the line, the boys came out in a very impressive doubles point and took care of business. [We were] Super solid from the start, which was the game plan; we wanted to see what Clemson had in them. That was the game plan coming in, and we had a few guys who were able to execute that flawlessly.”
On how he assessed Friday’s dominant singles play
“There was a big win at [No.] one from Paul Jubb. [Alex Favrot] is a good player there, so that’s another ranked win for [Jubb]. He deserves to get that opportunity [to play No. 1], and he got it. I love the way that Gabe (Friedrich) bounced back and took care of business. He was flawless on Court two today. That was awesome for him.”
On beating Clemson four straight years
“That’s a major goal of ours. It starts in recruiting and goes all the way into the Palmetto Series point here. We’re just happy we can do our little part in it. I think we secured it for the Gamecocks today, and we’re just doing our little part. I’m glad we could contribute.”
On looking ahead to the SEC Tournament
“We’ve got Ole Miss coming up, and we’re going to get right back after it. Ole Miss [is] good, they’re healthy. It’s tournament time, and anything can happen. We’re looking to make a run, and the boys are looking poised to do it.”
– Head Coach Josh Goffi
GAMECOCK NOTABLES
- No. 28 South Carolina (18-7, 7-5 SEC) clinched a third-straight win for the Gamecocks in the annual Palmetto Series, securing an 8-5 lead with just the academic point remaining.
- The Gamecocks, who finished the regular season winning six of seven matches, have now tied the second highest win total (18) under head coach Josh Goffi.
- No. 63 Paul Jubb (22-8) has won seven of his last eight singles matches and is tied for the team lead with six wins over ranked opponents.
- The No. 64 doubles tandem of Gabriel Friedrich and Thomas Mayronne are now 7-2 on the year together, winning five straight decisions.
- No. 59 Yancy Dennis and Harrison O’Keefe picked up their second win over a ranked opponent and are now 7-4 in doubles action together.
- Yancy Dennis has a team-leading 25 singles wins after his win on Friday night.
UP NEXT FOR THE GAMECOCKS
South Carolina travel to Tuscaloosa, Ala., as the No.7 seed in next week’s SEC Tournament where it will take on 10th-seeded Ole Miss on Apr. 26, at 1 p.m. ET.
For updates, continue to check back with GamecocksOnline.com or follow the team on social media (@GamecockMTennis).
