The South Carolina men’s tennis team, ranked No. 22, suffered its first Southeastern Conference loss of the season on Friday night, falling 4-2 to No. 4 Texas in Columbia. The Gamecocks are now 9-2 overall and 2-1 in SEC play, while Texas improves to 12-3 and remains undefeated in conference matches.
Texas started strong in doubles with a decisive win at the third position as Oliver Ojakaar and Sebastian Eriksson defeated Atakan Karahan and Cole Henceroth 6-1. South Carolina responded with Lucas da Silva and Paul Barbier Gazeu securing a 6-4 victory over Sebastian Gorzny and Lucas Marionneau, keeping their dual match record perfect at 7-0 this season. The doubles point was decided by Sean Daryabeigi and Max Stenzer, who came from behind to win two straight sets and clinched the match 7-5 for the Gamecocks.
In singles play, all six South Carolina players lost their opening sets. Da Silva initially led his opponent but eventually dropped his first set to Sebastian Gorzny. Daryabeigi also narrowly lost his first set in a tiebreak.
Due to bad weather, the match moved indoors—a setting where Texas recently won the ITA National Indoor Championship earlier this month.
Texas tied the score early in singles after Abel Forger beat Atakan Karahan. The Longhorns then took a lead with another win on court six against Charlie Swaine. Despite efforts by South Carolina to shift momentum—da Silva winning his second set decisively—the Longhorns reached match point when Paul Barbier Gazeu lost a close tiebreaker.
The final outcome hinged on matches involving Daryabeigi and Gabe Avram. Both fought hard in their respective third sets but ultimately fell short as Texas clinched victory when Avram sent a shot long to lose his third set 6-4.
Lucas da Silva’s singles win marked his second defeat of a top-three ranked player this season; he previously overcame Matthew Forbes of Michigan State in January.
South Carolina will continue SEC play on Sunday, March 1, facing No. 16 Florida at noon.
