South Carolina men’s tennis competitors Charlie Robertson and Paul Barbier Gazeu secured critical advances during the ITA All-American Championships in Tulsa, Oklahoma, highlighted by strong doubles execution and resilient singles play across the qualifying and main draws.
Robertson opened his tournament campaign in the qualifying singles draw, securing a 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 victory against Mitchell Sheldon in the Round of 64. The Gamecock returned to the court the following day, dropping a 4-6, 1-6 decision to Texas competitor Abel Forger.
Barbier Gazeu entered the main draw singles competition directly, facing Indiana’s Sam Landau in the Round of 64 and dropping a three-set battle 6-2, 2-6, 0-6. In the subsequent consolation draw, Barbier Gazeu rebounded with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Baylor’s Devin Badenhorst, who held the tournament’s No. 1 seed ranking. That victory advanced Barbier Gazeu to the next round to compete for an NCAA qualification.
Doubles Success in the Main Draw
Teaming up in the main draw doubles competition, the No. 8-seeded duo of Robertson and Barbier Gazeu defeated Nikiya Volonski and Calum Jestin 7-5, 6-3 in their opening match. The following day, the pair won a tight tiebreak against Erik Schiessl and Connor Van Schalkwyk, prevailing 6-3, 5-7, 10-4 to secure a spot in the quarterfinals.
The doubles pair advanced to face Ohio State’s Aidan Kim and Bryce Nakashima at 3:30 p.m. (CT).
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