Hogs Fall Short of Upset Against No. 24 South Carolina, 4-3

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The No. 45 Arkansas men’s tennis team (13-5, 1-2) fell shy of an upset over No. 24 South Carolina (7-7, 1-2), dropping the match 4-3 on Sunday afternoon at Billingsley Tennis Center.

In doubles play, the Gamecocks took the early advantage with a win on court two, as Story/da Silva defeated Connor Smillie/Jake Sweeney, 6-2. The Razorbacks responded with Božo Barun and Jared Horwood earning a 6-4 victory in the top spot over No. 10 Hoole/Samuel. The win for Barun/Horwood marks their first ranked victory together this season and second win of the weekend. The doubles point came down to court three as Melvin Manuel/Alan Sau Franco clinched the point for the Hogs after a 7-6 (3) victory against Daryabeigi/Sarr.

South Carolina struck first in singles play with No. 49 Samuel defeating Barun, 6-2, 6-2, in the top spot while No. 96 Hoole claimed a straight-set victory over Gerard Planelles Ripoll at the No. 2 position. Arkansas answered with a win on court six to tie the match, as Karlo Kajin took down Morgan, 6-1, 6-2, to earn his fifth straight victory.

The Gamecocks regained the lead following a three-set win from Sarr against Stefanos Savva at the No. 4 position. The Razorbacks evened the score again after a victory on court five, as Benedikt Emesz bested Daryabeigi, 7-6 (9), 6-2. The match came down to court three, where Manuel faced James Story. Manuel took the first set 7-5 while Story fought back to win the second set 6-3, forcing a winner-take-all third set. In the final set, Story came back late en route to a 6-3 victory, securing the match for South Carolina.

The Hogs continue their season in Oxford, Miss., as they travel to face Ole Miss and Mississippi Valley State on Friday, March 15.

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