Tech Falls in Close Match with #8 South Carolina

THE FLATS – The Georgia Tech men’s tennis team (6-4, 0-0 ACC) lost a tough battle to #8 South Carolina (7-0, SEC) in a 4-3 decision on Friday at Ken Byers Tennis Complex. The Jackets challenge the nationally ranked Gamecocks with several upsets in singles and doubles play.

“It is never okay to lose a match, but I’m very proud of the fight in our team. The doubles were one of the closest doubles point we have ever played. Three tiebreakers in doubles doesn’t happen too often,” Byers Men’s Tennis Head Coach Kenny Thorne said.

“For Keshav to not lose a game in his singles match doesn’t happen too often as well, especially against a highly ranked opponent. Andres and Marcus both played very smart and gritty matches against two of the best players in college tennis. There are some positives to take away from this one. Now we are looking forward to our match against UGA this Sunday.”

Tech started the match with matchups against three nationally ranked doubles pairs and all three of the matches went into tiebreaker sets. The highlight of doubles for the Jackets was No. 60 Andres Martin and Marcus McDaniel’s exciting upset over South Carolina’s No. Thomson and Samuel. Martin and McDaniel were down 4-2 before tying the match at 4-4. After being tied 6-6, the Tech duo secured the 7-6 win with a 7-5 victory in the tiebreaker set.

Three Jackets recorded stunning performances in singles play. No. 86 Keshav Chopra was the first player to finish his match. It was an impressive victory as Chopra blanked South Carolina’s No. 67 Raphael Lambling 6-0, 6-0. This marks Chopra’s second win over a nationally ranked opponent this season.

Even though the outcome had already been decided, McDaniel and No. 63 Martin continued to battle it out in their singles matches.

Against South Carolina’s No. 12 Connor Thomson, McDaniel claimed a 6-3 win in his first set and fell 4-6 in the second. It came down to a tight third set, but McDaniel secured the win in a 6-4 decision. His opponent, Thomson, was previously undefeated in dual match play with a 6-0 record.

No. 63 Martin’s match against South Carolina’s No. 11 Toby Samuel was the finale of today’s competition. He dropped the first set 6-4 but came back to win two straight sets (6-4, 6-3) and claimed the victory. Martin’s opponent was 5-0 in dual match singles and this win was his second straight against a nationally ranked player.

Singles

#63 Martin (GT) def. #11 Samuel (SC); 4-6, 6-4, 6-3
McDaniel (GT) def. #12 Thomson (SC); 6-3, 4-6, 6-4
#86 Chopra (GT) def. #67 Lambling (SC); 6-0, 6-0
Story (SC) def. Sachdev (GT); 6-3, 6-3
Hoole (SC) def. Shokry (GT); 6-4, 6-4
Beasley (SC) def. Bauer (GT); 6-2, 6-3

Order of finish: 3, 4, 6, 5, 2, 1

Doubles

#60 Martin/McDaniel (GT) def. #3 Thomson/Samuel (SC); 7-6 [7-5]
#30 Beasley/Story (SC) def. Chopra/Shokry (GT); 7-6 [8-6]
#59 Lambling/Hoole (SC) def. McKinney/Sachdev (GT); 7-6 [7-4]

Order of finish: 2, 1, 3

UP NEXT:
Tech will be back in action on Sunday, Feb. 12 for a doubleheader against No. 13 Georgia at 12 p.m. and the Citadel at 4 p.m.

Alexander-Tharpe Fund
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