Five Gamecocks Earn Preseason Rankings
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Five South Carolina men’s tennis players earned spots in the ITA Preseason Rankings, the organization announced today. Junior Sean Daryabeigi led the way in singles at No. 56, followed by senior Lucas Andrade da Silva at No. 64. In doubles, da Silva and sophomore Atakan Karahan came in at No. 40, and Daryabeigi and sophomore Max Stenzer slotted in at No. 74. Sophomore Paul Barbier Gazeu wrapped up the Gamecocks listed, holding the No. 8 spot in the Newcomer rankings.
Daryabeigi enters his third season in Columbia with a 53-26 overall record, including a 27-11 mark last season. That 2024-25 campaign saw him finish ranked No. 105 in the nation behind eight wins over nationally ranked opponents. He went 10-3 in the No. 3 singles spot, including a 5-2 mark in SEC action.
Closing last season ranked No. 115, da Silva earned a spot on the All-SEC Second Team and was an ITA All-American in doubles after finishing the season ranked No. 7 with Connor Thomson. In singles, da Silva was 11-6 in dual matches with a 6-6 mark in SEC play, playing primarily in the No. 2 position. His strong fall season included reaching the finals at the ITA East Sectionals to earn a spot in the NCAA Singles National Championships.
Karahan will pair with da Silva in doubles for the first time this season, but the sophomore was strong in doubles last season with a 19-11 overall record, including a 13-9 mark in dual matches, playing largely in the No. 2 position. Daryabeigi and Stenzer teamed up for a 7-5 doubles record last season, highlighted by a 4-2 mark in SEC play.
Barbier Gazeu joined the Gamecocks last spring but is looking for his first college tennis action this season. The Frenchman has a 7.29 WTN after a busy summer playing ITF events, including a run to the semifinals of the ITF M15 Kursumljiska Banja in June that included a win over the No. 627 player in the world.
Continue to check GamecocksOnline.com and the team’s social media accounts (@GamecockMTennis) for the most up-to-date information on the men’s tennis program.
