Samuel and Hoole Record Top-15 Doubles Upset in Win Over No. 20 Arizona State

New York, N.Y. – No. 4 South Carolina men’s tennis bounced back on Saturday with a 4-2 win over No. 20 Arizona State. The Gamecocks won a dramatic doubles point and claimed three singles victories to clinch the match.

In doubles, Arizona State struck first with Murphy Cassone and Martin Vergara Del Puerto defeating James Story and Lucas Andrade da Silva 6-1 from the No. 2 position. The Gamecocks evened the decision shortly after with the freshmen pair of Jelani Sarr and Sean Daryabeigi defeating Jacob Bullard and Constantinos Koshis 6-4.

The deciding match at the top of the lineup was between Toby Samuel and Casey Hoole against No. 14 Bor Artnak and Max McKennon.  The Sun Devils appeared to have the match in the bag, serving while up 5-4, 40-15, but the Gamecocks saved three match points to remain in play. Both pairs held serve for the next two games to force the decision to a tiebreaker.

In the breaker, the higher-ranked Sun Devils jumped out to a 3-0 start but the Gamecocks claimed the next two points to bring the score within one point at 3-2. Arizona State’s pair again surged to go up 5-2, but Samuel and Hoole refused to give in, claiming the next five points to win it 7-6(5), clinching the doubles point.

In singles play, Arizona State tied the match up with a win on the third court where Story fell to McKennon. South Carolina claimed the lead back with Daryabeigi and Da Silva both earning straight sets wins at the No. 6 and 5 positions respectively.

Arizona State tacked on their next point with Hoole falling to No. 78 Artnak 3-6, 4-6 at the No. 2 position.

The match was clinched by No. 76 Sarr who defeated Jacob Bullard in a close 7-6(5), 7-5 decision.

South Carolina will play one more match in the consolation rounds at the ITA Indoor Championships on Sunday. Match time and opponent will be released later in the day.

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

(4) South Carolina 4, (20) Arizona State 2

Doubles (order of finish: 2, 3, 1)

1. Toby Samuel/Casey Hoole (SC) def. #14 Bor Artnak/Max McKennon (AZST) 7-6 (7-5)
2. Murphy Cassone/Vergara Del Puerto (AZST) def. James Story/Lucas Andrade da Silva (SC) 6-1
3. Jelani Sarr/Sean Daryabeigi (SC) def. Jacob Bullard/Constantinos Koshis (AZST) 6-4

 Singles (order of finish: 3, 6, 5, 2, 4)

1. #50 Toby Samuel (SC) vs. #10 Murphy Cassone (AZST) 4-6, 6-3, 2-2, unfinished
2. #78 Bor Artnak (AZST) def. Casey Hoole (SC) 6-3, 6-4
3. Max McKennon (AZST) def. James Story (SC) 6-3, 6-1
4. #76 Jelani Sarr (SC) def. Jacob Bullard (AZST) 7-6 (7-5), 7-5
5. Lucas Andrade da Silva (SC) def. Constantinos Koshis (AZST) 6-3, 6-1
6. Sean Daryabeigi (SC) def. Roi Ginat (AZST) 6-2, 6-1