The University of South Florida men's tennis team delivered a statement victory on Sunday morning, defeating No. 48 Harvard 4-3 at the USF Varsity Tennis Courts. In a tightly contested match, the Bulls came through with clutch performances to secure a much-needed win as the regular season winds down.

Doubles play went in favor of Harvard, as the Crimson claimed the point with wins on courts one and two. USF's Hugo Car and Timeo Gaillard picked up a strong 6-3 victory on court three, but the Bulls entered singles trailing 1-0.

The Bulls responded in singles with a dominant start. Toto Llanes evened the match with a commanding 6-3, 6-3 win on court six, followed by Elijah Cham, who gave the Bulls their first lead with an impressive 6-2, 6-4 victory on court two.

Gughi Verdese delivered a clutch performance on court five, earning a 6-3, 7-6 victory to keep USF within reach.

As the match tightened, the energy at the USF Varsity Tennis Courts surged, with a lively crowd and strong support from teammates fueling the Bulls. Momentum built as the team rallied behind Agustin Cuellar, Stepan Mruzek and Hugo Car creating a high-energy atmosphere down the stretch. Harvard answered with a point on court 3. 

The deciding point came on court one, where Hugo Car battled back after dropping the first set to secure a gritty three-set win, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, clinching the match for the Bulls. Shortly after, Stepan Mruzek fell on court 4, adding a point for the Crimson. 

With the win, USF gains a crucial boost of momentum and confidence, defeating a top-fifty opponent in dramatic fashion. The Bulls will look to carry that energy through the remainder of the regular season as they continue to build toward postseason play. USF returns to the court on Friday for a home doubleheader against Charlotte and FGCU.

About USF Men's Tennis

Be sure to follow USF men's tennis on social media (Twitter / Facebook / Instagram) and visit GoUSFBulls.com for the most up-to-date information.

Head coach Ashley Fisher is in his ninth year at the helm of the program for the 2025-26 season. Fischer has guided the Bulls to four NCAA Tournaments, including three trips to the second round. He was named the American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in 2017 & 2019 after leading USF to the conference title in each of those seasons.

– #Go Bulls –