Cacciatore Captures Gamecock Invite Title
COLUMBIA, S.C.- Patrick Cacciatore made it five consecutive victories to begin his collegiate career as he defeated teammate Beau Pelletier, 6-3, 7-5 to capture the Gamecock Invite B-flight singles championship to wrap up the South Carolina men’s tennis team’s season-opening weekend. Cacciatore dropped just two sets in singles play over the three-day event while Joseph Brailovsky rebounded from a semifinal letdown with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Diego Finkelstein (Ga. Southern) to capture third place in the singles B-draw.
Following a 6-3 win in the opening set of Sunday’s championship match, Cacciatore had to grind through the second to take down his South Carolina teammate Pelletier. Trailing a set and down a break in the second, Pelletier fought back to even the second set at 5-5. Battling through the heat against his doubles partner from the weekend, Cacciatore broke Pelletier’s serve to go up 6-5. Holding a 40-15 lead in the next game, Cacciatore blasted a left-handed forehand past Pelletier to notch his fifth-consecutive win to begin the 2018-19 season.
Cacciatore was tested out of the gate at Cayce Tennis Center on day one of the tournament and needed three sets to make it out of the first round. He defeated Simon Labbe (ECU) in a tight 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 match before advancing to the quarterfinals with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Presbyterian’s Max Benson.
After making the move to the Carolina Tennis Center for the quarterfinals on Saturday, Cacciatore made quick work of Gerard Sola (Campbell), winning 6-3, 6-1. In the quarterfinal round, Cacciatore and fellow Gamecock freshman Joseph Brailovsky battled through a gritty three-set match to end day two. Cacciatore eventually prevailed 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 to set up his meeting with Pelletier in Sunday’s championship round.
The Gamecocks will return to fall tournament action on Oct. 1-2 in the qualifying stage of the 2018 ITA All-American Championships in Tulsa, Okla.
For men’s tennis updates, continue to check back with GamecocksOnline.com or follow the team on social media (@GamecockMTennis).
South Carolina Results:
Singles B-Flight Main Draw (Championship)
Cacciatore (S.C.) def. Pelletier (S.C.), 6-3, 7-5
Singles B-Flight Consolation (Third Place)
Brailovsky (S.C.) def. Finkelstein (Ga. Southern), 6-3, 6-2
