Nashville, Tenn. – South Carolina men’s tennis got out to a strong start to open the fall season, winning all three of their doubles matches and five of seven singles matches at the Commodore Invitational in Nashville, Tenn.
The Gamecocks started the day in doubles with the most notable win coming from sophomore Casey Hoole and junior Carter Morgan in their first doubles match together. The unranked duo earned a dominant upset over No. 58 Baptiste Anselmo and Mark Mandlik of Oklahoma, taking them down 8-1 in the Green Draw.
In the Blue Draw, graduate Jake Beasley and junior James Story took town Jorge Plans Gonzalez and Ryuhei Azuma of rival Clemson 8-5. No. 37 duo Toby Samuel and Connor Thomson made quick work of Jip Van Assendelft and Justin Schlageter of Oklahoma, defeating them 8-3 in the Red Draw.
In singles, Samuel took down Anselmo in straight sets, 6-1, 6-2, to advance in Flight A. Thomson also advanced in his flight by straight sets, defeating Raul Dobai of Auburn 6-3, 6-3.
The Gamecocks had a strong showing in Flight C with three wins. Morgan took down Gordon Whitwell of Ole Miss 7-5, 7-5 while Hoole defeated Rohan Sachdev of Georgia Tech with a comeback win. After dropping the first set 4-6, Hoole went on to take the next two sets 6-1 and 6-4.
In his Gamecock debut, freshman Lucas da Silva brought home a statement win. The Brazil native defeated Walker Stearns of Ole Miss 6-1, 6-1.
The Commodore Invitational will continue tomorrow with one round of doubles followed by one round of singles beginning at 10 a.m. ET.
For all the latest South Carolina men’s tennis information, continue to follow GamecocksOnline.com or the team on social media (@GamecockMTennis).
Doubles
Blue Draw Quarterfinals
Jake Beasley/James Story (SC) def. Jorge Plans Gonzalez/Ryuhei Azuma (CLEM) 8-5
William Grant/Axel Nefve (FLA) def. Nic Meister (ILL)/Lucas da Silva (SC) 8-6
Red Draw Quarterfinals
(37) Toby Samuel/Connor Thomson (SC) def. Jip Van Assendelft/Justin Schlageter (OKLA) 8-3
Green Draw Quarterfinals
Carter Morgan/Casey Hoole (SC) def. (58) Baptiste Anselmo/Mark Mandlik (OKLA) 8-1
Singles
Flight A Round of 16
(91) Nate Bonetto (FLA) def. Jake Beasley (SC) 6-4, 7-6(6)
(37) Toby Samuel (SC) def. Baptiste Anselmo (OKLA) 6-1, 6-2
Flight B Round of 16
(20) Andres Martin (GT) def. James Story (SC) 6-1, 2-6, 6-3
(T-89) Connor Thomson (SC) def. Raul Dobai (AUB) 6-3, 6-3
Flight C Round of 16
Lucas da Silva (SC) def. Walker Stearns (MISS) 6-1, 6-1
Casey Hoole…