South Carolina Drops Tough 4-1 Decision to Tennessee

COLUMBIA, S.C. – No. 16 South Carolina men’s tennis lost a tough battle against No. 3 Tennessee in a 4-1 decision at the Carolina Tennis Center. After dropping the doubles point, the Gamecocks fought hard in singles, but could not hold off the Volunteers.
 
“Tough one for the guys today; Tennessee played tough at every spot, so credit goes to them,” said South Carolina head coach Josh Goffi. “They jumped on us in doubles and never let us back in once they got up. But, I am very proud of the way we responded in singles to give ourselves a chance there at the end. We came up a little short today, but we are going to learn from this and get back at it on Sunday.”
 
In singles, Tennessee earned straight-set wins on courts five and one. On court three, No. 118 Connor Thomson brought in the sole point for the Gamecocks. He posted a commanding 6-2 win in his first set over Tennessee’s Martim Prata. The second set featured a tiebreak, in which Thomson did not give up a single point. In the winning point, he used a powerful backhand return for a winner and the 7-6 (0) victory. 
 
The last three matches featured three sets each. On court two, No. 81 Raphael Lambling fought hard in his first set, but came up short against Tennessee’s Johannus Monday at a mark of 4-6. Lambling turned things around in his second set, creating an early lead and winning 6-3 with a series of impressive rallies. In the third set, the two were in a steady back and forth until Monday went up 2-5. Lambling won the next game, but could not complete his comeback and ultimately fell short 3-6, resulting in the win for the Volunteers.  
 
The Gamecocks continue SEC action at the Carolina Tennis Center on Sun., Mar. 7, when they host No. 14 Georgia.
 
For all the latest South Carolina men’s tennis information, continue to follow GamecocksOnline.com or the team on social media (@GamecockMTennis).
 
(3) Tennessee def. (16) South Carolina 4-1
Doubles (Order of Finish: 1, 3*)
1. (24) Adam Walton / Pat Harper (TENN) def. (44) Daniel Rodrigues / Connor Thomson (SC) 6-1
2. (59) Raphael Lambling / Phillip Jordan (SC) vs. Johannus Monday / Martim Prata (TENN) 5-2 DNF
3. Giles Hussey / Mark Wallner (TENN) def. Toby Samuel / Jake Beasley (SC) 6-2
 
Singles (Order of Finish: 5, 1, 3, 2*)
1. Adam Walton (TENN) def. (32) Daniel Rodrigues (SC) 6-2, 6-3
2. Johannus Monday (TENN) def. (81) Raphael Lambling (SC) 6-4, 3-6, 6-3
3. (118) Connor Thomson (SC) def. Martim Prata (TENN) 6-2, 7-6 (0)
4. Toby Samuel (SC) vs. Giles Hussey (TENN) 7-5, 2-6, 4-4 DNF
5.  Luca Wiedenmann (TENN) def. Jake Beasley (SC) 7-5, 6-1
6. Phillip Jordan (SC) vs. Josh Raab (TENN) 1-6, 6-4, 5-2