Cary, N.C. – South Carolina men’s tennis had three singles and one doubles entry advance to the rounds of 16 at the ITA Carolina Regional Championships on Saturday.
Play began in singles where sophomore Casey Hoole and junior James Story both advanced to the round of 16 with straight set wins. Both Gamecocks have not dropped a set so far at the tournament through three matches.
Also advancing in the singles main draw is junior Connor Thomson. Thomson eaned a comeback win over UNC Wilmington’s Reece Falck after dropping his first set 6-1. The junior then went on the win the next two sets to earn his spot in the next round.
Hoole will be taking on North Carolina’s Logan Zapp in the round of 16 while teammates Story and Thomson will have to face each other.
In the singles consolation bracket, freshman Lucas da Silva advanced after a straight set win over Javier Matos of Presbyterian.
In the doubles competition, graduate Jake Beasley paired up with Story and took down two opponents to advance to the round of 16. Hoole and da Silva fell in the first round of doubles play in a third set tiebreaker.
Play will continue at the Regional Championships on Sunday with the singles round of 16 beginning at 9 a.m. Singles quarterfinals will follow at approximately 12 p.m. The doubles round of 16 is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. Full draws and match times are available on the tournament webpage.
For all the latest South Carolina men’s tennis information, continue to follow GamecocksOnline.com or the team on social media (@GamecockMTennis).
Singles Round of 32
Casey Hoole (SC) def. Esteban Lopez (NC A&T) 6-2, 6-1
(T-89) Connor Thomson (SC) def. Reece Falck (UNC Wilmigton) 1-6, 6-4, 6-3
James Story (SC) def. Mikalai Bankou (SC State) 6-4, 7-5
Martins Rocens (NC State) def. Jake Beasley (SC) 6-1, 7-5
Singles Consolation Round of 32
Lucas da Silva (SC) def. Javier Matos (Presbyterian) 6-4, 6-4
Connor Enslin (Gardner-Webb) def. Carter Morgan (SC) 3-6, 6-4, 1-0(7)
Doubles Round of 64
Rafael Iziquierdo Luque/Joseph Wayand (NC State) def. Casey Hoole/Lucas da Silva (SC) 6-4, 6-7(4), 1-0(4)
Jake Beasley/James Story (SC) def. Adam Duan/Saud Alhogbani (Wake) 6-3, 6-0
Doubles Round of 32
Jake Beasley/James Story (SC) def. Juan Camilo Gongora/Max Kachkarov (Davidson) 6-3, 6-4