Freshmen Perfect on Final Day of Gamecock Kickoff

Columbia, S.C. – Head coach Josh Goffi’s Gamecock men’s tennis squad wrapped up tournament play for the season on Sunday with the conclusion of the Gamecock Kickoff. The team of five accounted for two doubles wins and two singles wins on the day.

Freshman Jelani Sarr again had the most notable win of the day with an upset of No. 43 Miguel Perez Pena of Georgia. Sarr dominated Pena 6-2, 6-1 to record his second consecutive ranked upset. On Saturday he took down No. 17 Kenta Miyoshi of Illinois, also in straight sets.

Sarr now leads the team with a singles record of 12-6 that features ranked wins over Nos. 17, 43, 48, 65, and 106.

Also with a singles win on the day was fellow freshman Sean Daryabeigi. The Delray Beach, Fla., native took down Georgia’s Freddy Blaydes 7-6(3), 6-2 to improve to 11-6 on the season.

In doubles, Sarr paired up with sophomore Lucas Andrade da Silva where the duo struggled early but battled back to win 7-5 over VCU’s Matisse Bobichon and Hamza El Amine.

On the next court over Daryabeigi partnered with junior Casey Hoole where the duo played a similar match, coming out on top of VCU’s Mathis Bondaz and Romain Gales 7-5.

South Carolina will now look ahead to dual action where they will start the season on the road at the home of the reigning back-to-back national champion and top-ranked Virginia. The match will be on Sun., Jan. 21 at 1:00 p.m. in Charlottesville.

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

Gamecock Kickoff – Day 3 Results

Singles

Niels Ratiu (UGA) def. Lucas Andrade da Silva (SC) 6-3, 7-5

Jelani Sarr (SC) def. (43) Miguel Perez (UGA) 6-2, 6-1

(112) Cyrus Mahjoob (UGA) def. Carter Morgan (SC) 6-1, 6-0

(36) Ryan Colby (UGA) def. (92) Casey Hoole (SC) 7-6(4), 6-1

Sean Daryabeigi (SC) def. Freddy Blaydes (UGA) 7-6(3), 6-2

Doubles

Jelani Sarr/Lucas Andrade da Silva (SC) def. Matisse Bobichon/Hamza El Amine (VCU) 7-5

Casey Hoole/Sean Daryabeigi (SC) def. Mathis Bondaz/Romain Gales (VCU) 7-5