Gamecocks to Play for Spot in Indoor Nationals

Columbia, S.C. – South Carolina men’s tennis defeated Penn 4-0 on Saturday to advance at the ITA Kickoff Weekend. The Gamecocks won the doubles point and three straight singles matches to secure the victory.

In doubles, Jake Beasley and James Story were the first to clear their court. The pair was dominant, taking the match 6-2. Raphael Lambling and Casey Hoole clinched the doubles point for the team. The duo achieved a perfectly timed break at 4-4 to serve out the match, winning 6-4.

In singles, Story earned his first ranked win of the season. The junior took down No. 102 Harsh Parikh in straight sets 6-3, 6-3 to increase South Carolina’s lead to 2-0.

Fellow junior Toby Samuel was the next to pick up a point for the Gamecocks, also earning a ranked win. Samuel took down No. 48 Eduardo Graziani 6-3, 6-4. The Bournemouth, England, native is now a perfect 3-0 from the top spot in the lineup and is 3-1 against ranked opponents on the season.

It was Connor Thomson who finally clinched the match for the home team. The junior took down Penn’s Kevin Zhu 6-1, 7-6(7) to clinch his third straight match for the Gamecocks. Thomson is now on an eight match singles win streak dating back through tournament play.

South Carolina will advance to the second round of the ITA Kickoff where they will face NC State. The match will begin at 2 p.m. at the Carolina Indoor Tennis Center located at 523 Superior St. Those not in attendance can watch the match live here or on the Cracked Racquets ITA Kickoff broadcast.

The winner of tomorrow’s match will advance to the ITA Indoor National Championships in Chicago, Ill., that will take place Feb. 17-20.

For all the latest South Carolina men’s tennis information, continue to follow GamecocksOnline.com or the team on social media (@GamecockMTennis).

(8) South Carolina 4, Penn 0

Doubles (order of finish: 2, 3,)

1. #1 Toby Samuel/Connor Thomson (SC) vs. #7 Edwardo Graziani/Kevin Zhu (PENN) 5-5, unfinished
2. Jake Beasley/James Story (SC) def. Manfredi Graziani/Kian Vakili (PENN) 6-2
3. Raphael Lambling/Casey Hoole (SC) def. Harsh Parikh/Aditya Gupta (PENN) 6-4 

Singles (order of finish: 4, 1, 2)

1. #15 Toby Samuel (SC) def. #48 Edwardo Graziani (PENN) 6-3, 6-4
2. Connor Thomson (SC) def. Kevin Zhu (PENN) 6-1, 7-6 (9-7)
3. Raphael Lambling (SC) vs. Aditya Gupta (PENN) 6-1, 5-5, unfinished
4. James Story (SC) def. #102 Harsh Parikh (PENN) 6-3, 6-3
5. #56 Casey Hoole (SC) vs. Manfredi Graziani (PENN) 6-7 (5-7), 2-2, unfinished
6. Jake Beasley (SC) vs. Baylor Sai (PENN) 6-0, 4-6, 3-5, unfinished