Gamecocks Dominate Home Tournament Day 1
COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina men’s tennis was perfect through five singles and two doubles matches on day one of its Gamecock Scramble, played at Carolina Tennis Center on Friday afternoon. The home team made quick work of opponents from Florida State, Texas A&M and Presbyterian College in their first home matches of the fall season.
South Carolina boasts three of the six ranked players in the field, and all three had dominant moments in their singles matches. No. 16 Connor Thomson dropped just three games to Richard Thongoana of Florida State in his victory, while No. 49 Toby Samuel played Seminole junior Andreja Petrovic a bit closer at 6-4, 6-3. No. 39 Raphael Lambling had Florida State’s John Bernard on the ropes for much of the match but had to fight off a late rally in his 6-3, 6-4 victory.
Junior Jake Beasley built on the momentum of his 3-1 ITA Carolina Regional effort last weekend with a solid 6-3, 6-3 victory of Rahul Dokhia of Texas A&M. Rounding out singles action, sophomore Carter Morgan showed great fight in his second set against Florida State’s Bryn Nahrung. After winning the first set 6-2, Morgan saw at much tighter second set that required a late service break for the 7-5 victory. It was his second win in his last three outings.
These four teams and Wake Forest will return to the courts for day two of the round robin tournament on Saturday with the a round of doubles starting at 9 a.m. Singles will follow at Carolina Tennis Center, and all teams will play one more round of doubles at the Carolina Indoor Tennis Center beginning at 1 p.m.
For all the latest South Carolina men’s tennis information, continue to follow GamecocksOnline.com or the team on social media (@GamecockMTennis).
South Carolina Day 1 Results
Singles
(16) Connor Thomson (SC) def. Richard Thongoana (FSU) 6-3, 6-0
(49) Toby Samuel (SC) def. Andreja Petrovic (FSU) 6-4, 6-3
(39) Raphael Lambling (SC) def. John Bernard (FSU) 6-3, 6-4
Jake Beasley (SC) def. Rahul Dokhia (TAM) 6-3, 6-3
Carter Morgan (SC) def. Bryn Nahrung (FSU) 6-2, 7-5
Doubles
Lambling/Thomson (SC) def. Max Benson/Dusan Milanovic (PC) 8-2
Beasley, Samuel (SC) def. Richard Thongoana/Andreja Petrovic (FSU) 8-4
