University of Georgia Athletics

Niels Ratiu during a practice in September of 2023.

Georgia Sweeps Doubles on Day Two of Gamecock Kickoff

January 06, 2024 | Men's Tennis

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Georgia men's tennis team continued play at the Gamecock Kickoff on Saturday, with the Bulldogs winning all three of their doubles matches during day two of the event at the Carolina Tennis Center. 
 
Freshman Niels Ratiu remains undefeated at South Carolina's home venue, as he again won his singles and doubles matches on Saturday. 
 
"I thought we had a fantastic day today," head coach Manuel Diaz said. "Our doubles were exceptional, and all of our guys played at a very high-level. Neils had a stupendous day in both singles and doubles. It was great to get Freddy Blades finally involved and he's going to be a big addition to our squad. Cyrus also earned a gutsy win. All of our guys continued to compete exceptionally well."
 
Freddy Blaydes made his Bulldog debut in doubles play with partner Thomas Paulsell, where the pair won their match 6-4 against Jelani Sarr and Lucas Andrade Da Silva of South Carolina. No. 42 Ryan Colby and Ratiu improved to 8-3 together after defeating the Gamecocks' Casey Hoole and Carter Morgan, while Cyrus Mahjoob and Miguel Perez Peña beat Sean Daryabeigi of South Carolina and Jeremy Zhang of Illinois, 6-4, in an exhibition match.
 
Georgia racked up three singles wins on Saturday afternoon, highlighted by the first ranked win of No. 112 Mahjoob's career. The freshman pulled out a three-set victory over VCU's No. 78 Mathis Bondaz and improves to 11-6 this season. Both No. 46 Perez Peña and Ratiu earned straight-set wins, moving to 13-5 and 7-6 this year, respectively. 
 
The Gamecock Kickoff will conclude on Sunday, Jan. 7. The day's first set of matches will start at 9 a.m. ET with the second slate scheduled to begin not before 1 p.m. The tournament is played in a round-robin format. Georgia, who is joined by host South Carolina, Illinois and VCU, will play in matches against a rotation of the opposing schools in singles and doubles. Players will compete in one match in both competitions each day. Admission is free for fans to attend.
 
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Bulldogs by following UGA Men's Tennis on social media on Instagram and X @UGATennis, on Facebook @UGAMensTennis, and on the web at GeorgiaDogs.com.
 
Doubles Results
Day One
Niels Ratiu/Thomas Paulsell (UGA) def. Oscar Pinto Sansano/German Samofalov (VCU) 6-4
Romain Gales/Matisse Bobichon (VCU) def. Ryan Colby/Filipe Costa (UGA) 6-1
Hamza El Amine/Mathis Bondaz (VCU) def. Miguel Perez Peña/Cyrus Mahjoob (UGA) 6-4
Karis Ozolins/William Mroz (Ill.) def. Parker Jacques/Davis Taylor (UGA) 6-0
Day Two
Cyrus Mahjoob/Miguel Perez Peña (UGA) def. Sean Daryabeigi (South Carolina)/Jeremy Zhang (Ill.) 6-4*
No. 42 Niels Ratiu/Ryan Colby (UGA) def. Casey Hoole/Carter Morgan (South Carolina) 6-4
Freddy Blaydes/Thomas Paulsell (UGA) def. Jelani Sarr/Lucas Andrade Da Silva (South Carolina) 6-3 
 
Singles Results
Day One
Romain Gales (VCU) def. Parker Mariencheck (UGA) 7-6(4), 7-5
Hamza El Amine (VCU) def. Davis Taylor (UGA) 6-3, 6-1
Filipe Costa (UGA) def. Oliver Okonkwo (Ill.) 6-2, 6-3
No. 55 Karlis Ozolins (Ill.) def. No. 41 Thomas Paulsell (UGA) 6-4, 6-4
No. 17 Kenta Miyoshi (Ill.) def. No. 112 Cyrus Mahjoob (UGA) 7-5, 6-1
No. 46 Hunter Heck (Ill.) def. No. 43 Miguel Perez Peña (UGA) 6-2, 6-2
Niels Ratiu (UGA) def. Jeremy Zhang (Ill.) 6-7(5), 7-5, 6-1
No. 36 Ryan Colby (UGA) def. William Mroz (Ill.) 6-2, 6-4
Tyler Bowers (Ill.) def. Parker Jacques (UGA) 3-6, 6-4, 10-8
Lucas Horve (Ill.) def. Parker Mariencheck (UGA) 6-1, 6-3
Day Two 
Jeremy Zhang (Ill.) def. Filipe Costa (UGA) 3-6, 6-2, 7-6(5)
Tyler Bowers (Ill.) def. Parker Mariencheck (UGA) 7-6(7), 6-2
Lucas Horve (Ill.) def. Parker Jacques (UGA) 6-4, 6-4
No. 92 Casey Hoole (South Carolina) def. Davis Taylor (UGA) 6-4*
No. 112 Cyrus Mahjoob (UGA) def. No. 78 Mathis Bondaz (VCU) 6-2, 3-6, 6-2
No. 90 Matisse Bobichon (VCU) def. No. 36 Ryan Colby (UGA) 7-6(6), 7-5
Niels Ratiu (UGA) def. Romain Gales (VCU) 6-0, 6-2
No. 46 Miguel Perez Peña (UGA) def. Oscar Pinto Sansano (VCU) 6-3, 6-2
Hamza El Amine (VCU) def. No. 41 Thomas Paulsell (UGA) 2-6, 6-4, 6-0
German Samofalov (VCU) def. Freddy Blaydes (UGA) 6-4, 3-6, 6-4
 
* indicates an exhibition match that will not count towards the players' records
 
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