Gamecocks Drop Friday Night Match to No. 13 Georgia

ATHENS, Ga. – The No. 12 South Carolina men’s tennis team (14-7, 7-6 SEC) fell 4-1 to No. 13 Georgia (16-7, 8-5 SEC) on Friday evening at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex.    

Doubles play opened evenly with all three courts locked at 1-1 before South Carolina began to create early separation on two courts. The No. 1 pair of Lucas da Silva and Paul Barbier Gazeu surged ahead to a 4-1 lead, while Sean Daryabeigi and Max Stenzer held a narrow 3-2 edge on court two. On court three, Gabe Avram and Charlie Swaine found themselves trailing 3-2. As play continued, Daryabeigi and Stenzer were locked at 3-3, while Avram and Swaine fell behind 4-2. Da Silva and Barbier Gazeu extended their advantage to 5-2, flirting with match point.

The Bulldogs responded with a late push, beginning on court three where Avram and Swaine dropped a 6-2 decision to give Georgia its first doubles win. Moments later, da Silva and Barbier Gazeu reached match point at 5-2, but their opponents forced deuce and briefly delayed the finish before the South Carolina duo regrouped to close out a 6-3 victory over the No. 17-ranked pair of Arda Azkara and Santiago Giamichella. With the doubles point coming down to court two, Daryabeigi and Stenzer battled but ultimately fell 6-4, clinching the doubles point for Georgia.

The Gamecocks grabbed two opening set victories in singles, with Atakan Karahan comfortably winning 6-3 and Stenzer successfully fighting through a tiebreak to come out on top 7-6. Georgia then jumped to a 3-0 lead with back-to-back straight set wins over Barbier Gazeu and Daryabeigi. The Gamecocks built upon that momentum as Avram claimed South Carolina’s first point of the match from the bottom of the lineup, completing a three set comeback after dropping his first. 

The Garnet & Black maintained control as the remaining three Gamecocks were all leading in their third sets. Stenzer and da Silva began to create larger gaps on their courts, but despite a strong fight, Karahan dropped a tight 7-5 decision as Georgia secured the 4-1 victory.

The Gamecocks wrap up the regular season this Sunday, April 12 facing Tennessee at noon in Knoxville. 

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

No. 13 Georgia 4, No. 12 South Carolina 1

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

1. No. 11 Lucas da Silva/Paul Barbier Gazeu (SC) def. No. 17 Arda Azkara/Santiago Giamichella (UGA) 6-3
2. Will Jansen/Gabriele Vulpitta (UGA) def No. 50 Sean Daryabeigi/Max Stenzer (SC) 6-4
3. Derrick Chen/Noah Johnston (UGA) def. Gabe Avram/Charlie Swaine (SC) 6-2 

SINGLES (order of finish: 2,3,6,5)

1. No. 12 Lucas da Silva (SC) led No. 40 Arda Azkara (UGA) 6-7, 6-3, 5-2
2. No. 47 Will Jansen (UGA) def. No. 124 Paul Barbier Gazeu (SC) 6-0, 7-5
3. No. 108 Santiago Giamichelle (UGA) def. No. 68 Sean Daryabeigi (SC) 6-4, 6-3
4. Max Stenzer (SC) led Derrick Chen (UGA) 7-6, 6-7, 6-5
5. Noah Johnston (UGA) def. Atakan Karahan (SC) 3-6, 6-4, 7-5
6. Gabe Avram (SC) def. Salvador Price (UGA) 2-6, 6-1, 6-3