Gamecocks Fall to Ninth-ranked Columbia

MADISON, WIS. — For the second time in as many matches at the 2020 ITA National Team Indoor Championships, No. 14 South Carolina men’s tennis came up just short to a top-10 opponent. On Saturday, the Gamecocks took the doubles point from No. 9 Columbia, but saw the Lions pick up four singles victories for the tough 4-2 decision.
 
In doubles, the Gamecocks jumped out to an early lead and never looked back. Ranked No. 36 in the country, Paul Jubb and Connor Thomson picked up the 6-3 win at the No. 2 spot before Daniel Rodrigues, and Raphael Lambling knocked off the No. 5 doubles team in the nation by the same score to secure the point for Carolina. The win marked the first ranked win for the pair this season.
 
In singles, Columbia picked up two quick wins at the bottom third of the lineup before No. 38 Rodrigues posted 6-2, 6-4 victory at the No. 3 spot for his 15th straight-sets win of the season.
 
No. 39 Lambling and No. 115 Thomson battled hard in their second sets to turn momentum back to the Gamecocks as No. 50 Paul Jubb went into a third set at the top of the lineup. Lambling dropped a late service break to give Columbia a 3-2 edge, and Thomson’s second-set tiebreaker went to the Lions as well to close out the victory.
 
 
Doubles
Order of Finish (2,3,1*)

1. Daniel Rodrigues/Raphael Lambling (SC) def. No. 5 Jack Lin/Jackie Tang (CU) 6-3
2. No. 36 Paul Jubb/Connor Thomson (SC) vs. Adam Ambrozy/Rain Pandole (CU) 6-3
3. Alex Kotzen/Jason Lui (CU) def. Phillip Jordan/Jake Beasley (SC) 6-4

 
Singles
Order of Finish 5,6,3,2,4*)

1. No. 50 Paul Jubb (SC) vs. No. 20 Jack Lin (CU) 6-2, 1-6, 3-3 DNF
2. No. 109 Jackie Tang (CU) def. No. 39 Raphael Lambling (SC) 6-4, 7-5
3. No. 38 Daniel Rodrigues (SC) def. Rian Pandole (CU) 6-2, 6-4
4. Adam Ambrozy (CU) def. No. 115 Connor Thomson (SC) 6-4, 7-6(3)
5. No. 109 Alex Kotzen (CU) def. Phillip Jordan (SC) 6-3, 6-2
6. Andrew Huang (CU) def. Thomas Brown (SC) 6-3, 6-2

 
Up Next for the Gamecocks
The Gamecocks will be return to action tomorrow when they take on the loser of the Baylor and Wisconsin matchup at 7:30 a.m. ET.
 
For men’s tennis updates, continue to check back with GamecocksOnline.com or follow the team on social media (@GamecockMTennis).
 
 
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