Samuel Advances to Main Draw

Tulsa, Okla. – South Carolina men’s tennis sophomore Toby Samuel has advanced to the main draw at the ITA All-American Championships. He took down three opponents in the qualifying rounds to secure his spot in the main draw.
 
No. 49 Samuel had to fight from behind in his first-round match against Portland’s Sema Pankin. After dropping the first set 4-6, the Gamecock sophomore claimed the next sets 6-4 and 6-2. In his second and third qualifying matches, Samuel made easy work of his opponents, defeating each of them in straight sets.
 
Sophomore James Story also competed in qualifying for the event, falling the first round but not without a fight. He was bested by Max Basing of Stanford 7-6 (9), 7-6 (5). Story bounced back to win his consolation match over Pankin in straight sets.
 
In the doubles qualifying round, previously undefeated doubles pair Raphael Lambling and Story took its first loss of the season to Karl Poling and Damien Rodriguez of Princeton, falling 6-4, 6-2.
 
Main draw rounds for the ITA All-Americans will continue Oct. 6-10 in Tulsa, Okla., with Samuel joining Daniel Rodrigues, Connor Thomson, and Lambling in the singles main draw and Rodrigues and Thomson opening play in the doubles main draw.
 
For all the latest South Carolina men’s tennis information, continue to follow GamecocksOnline.com or the team on social media (@GamecockMTennis).
 
 
Qualifying rounds
Singles round of 256
(49) Toby Samuel def. Sema Pankin (Portland) 4-6, 6-4, 6-2
Max Basing (Stanford) def. (56) James Story 7-6(9), 7-6 (5)
Singles round of 128
(49) Toby Samuel def. Nicholas McKinney (Presbyterian) 6-3, 6-1
Singles round of 64
(49) Toby Samuel def. Justin Barki 6-4, 6-4
Singles consolation round of 64
(56) James Story def. Sema Pankin (Portland) 6-3, 6-3
 
Doubles round of 64
Polin/Rodriguez (Princeton) def. Lambling/Story 6-4, 6-2