Gamecocks Suffer First Loss of Season
CHAPEL HILL, N.C.— No. 12 South Carolina men’s tennis dropped a tough 4-0 decision on the road at No. 4 North Carolina Sunday evening. The loss moves the Gamecocks to 5-1 on the young season.
South Carolina fell behind early in the doubles point and were unable to recover despite a momentum shift midway through the match. At the top of the doubles lineup, No. 39 Daniel Rodrigues and Raphael Lambling were in a tight match with the Gamecock sophomores going up 4-3 just ahead of the Tar Heels taking wins in the Nos. 2 and 3 matches to earn the point.
In singles, the Gamecocks looked to mount a comeback, picking up first-set wins in the Nos. 3, 4 and 6 positions before the Tar Heels closed the door with straight-set victories on the other three courts to close out the victory.
Doubles (Order of Finish: 3,2*)
- (39) Daniel Rodrigues/Raphael Lambling (SC) vs. William Blumberg/Brian Cernoch (UNC) 4-3 DNF
- (7) Mac Kiger/Simon Soendergaard (UNC) def. Paul Jubb/Connor Thomson (SC) 6-4
- Benjamin Sigouin/Rinky Hijikata (UNC) def. Jake Beasley/Phillip Jordan (SC) 6-1
Singles (Order of Finish: 5,1,2*)
1. William Blumberg (UNC) def. Paul Jubb (SC) 6-3, 6-4
2. Benjamin Sigouin (UNC) def. (21) Daniel Rodrigues (SC) 6-3, 6-2
3. (39) Raphael Lambling (SC) vs. Rinky Hijikata (UNC) 7-6 (7-4), 1-4 DNF
4. (106) Connor Thomson (SC) vs. (82) Josh Peck (UNC) 6-2, 2-6, 0-0 DNF
5. Brian Cernoch (UNC) def. Phillip Jordan (SC) 6-2, 6-2
6. Jake Beasley (SC) vs. Mac Kiger (UNC) 6-3, 4-6 2-2 DNF
Up Next for the Gamecocks
The Gamecocks return home before heading to Madison, Wis., for the ITA National Team Indoor Championships Feb. 14-17.
For men’s tennis updates, continue to check back with GamecocksOnline.com or follow the team on social media (@GamecockMTennis).
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