Gamecocks Upset No. 18 Tennessee 4-3

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The No. 21 South Carolina men’s tennis team secured a thrilling 4-3 win against No. 18 Tennessee on Thursday evening.

The Gamecocks set the tone early in doubles play when Max Stenzer and Sean Daryabeigi dominated their first win of the season as a pair, sweeping their opponents 6-0. Jelani Sarr and Atakan Karahan then clinched the doubles point with a 6-3 win, marking their ninth victory together this season.

The competition intensified as the match moved into singles play. Connor Thomson (6-3), Sarr (6-4) and Karahan (7-5) each won their first sets while the Volunteers took opening wins on the remaining three courts. Sarr increased the Gamecocks’ lead to 2-0, defeating his opponent 6-4, 6-0 on an ace from the fifth position. Thomson got South Carolina within one point of clinching when he took down No. 25 Alex Kotzen 6-3, 6-1 from the top of the lineup.

The Volunteers then found their rhythm and mounted a comeback. Alejandro Moreno defeated Daryabeigi 6-3, 6-1 to get the Volunteers on the board and cut the lead to 3-1. Within seconds of each other, Gabe Avram (2-6, 3-6) and Lucas da Silva (4-6, 3-6) fell to their opponents which brought the match to 3-all.

The deciding point came down to Karahan who was playing Jose Garcia from the fourth position. Karahan and Garcia fought through long rallies, trading off points until Karahan clinched the Gamecock win 7-5, 6-4.

The Gamecocks return home on Sat., April 5 to host No. 26 Georgia at 1:00 p.m.

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

(21) South Carolina 4, (18) Tennessee 3

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

1. #4 Lucas da Silva/Connor Thomson (SC) led #12 Alex Kotzen/Alejandro Moreno (TN) 5-1, unfinished
2. Jelani Sarr/Atakan Karahan (SC) def. Shunsuke Mitsui/Alan Jesudason (TN) 6-3
3. Max Stenzer/Sean Daryabeigi (SC) def. Jose Garcia/James Newton (TN) 6-0

Singles (order of finish: 5,1,3,6,2,4)

1. #42 Connor Thomson (SC) def. #25 Alex Kotzen (TN) 6-3, 6-1
2. #31 Shunsuke Mitsui (TN) def. Lucas da Silva (SC) 6-4, 6-3
3. Alejandro Moreno (TN) def. #98 Sean Daryabeigi (SC) 6-3, 6-1
4. Atakan Karahan (SC) def. Jose Garcia (TN) 7-5, 6-4
5. #111 Jelani Sarr (SC) def. Alan Jesudason (TN) 6-4, 6-0
6. Ian Cruz (TN) def. Gabe Avram (SC) 6-2, 6-3

Records

South Carolina: 15-6 (overall), 9-3 (SEC)

Tennessee: 16-6 (overall), 7-4 (SEC)