TAMPA, Fla. -- LSU junior Sebastian Carlsson captured the singles title at the University of South Florida Invitational on Sunday with a 6-4, 2-6, 11-9 win over the University of Central Florida’s Marc Rocafort at the USF Varsity Courts.
 
“Sebastian has shown us he is capable of competing at the highest level,” LSU head coach Jeff Brown said. “Everyone competing took a lot away from this tournament, and they saw the things they need to work on over the next two months before we start the dual season.”
 
In addition to Carlsson’s title-winning victory, LSU produced five wins to wrap up singles play at the tournament.
 
Four players took down UCF opponents in straight sets. Neal Skupski edged out Blaze Schwartz 6-1, 7-5, Mark Bowtell defeated Brock Sakey 6-2, 6-4 ,Cody Loup cruised past Joe Delinks, 6-2, 6-0 and James Turbervill knocked off Eugene Dolgovykh, 7-6 (7-4), 6-4.
 
Tiger sophomore David Roberts battled to victory in a third set. Roberts defeated Mario Samson in a third-set tiebreaker, 7-6 (7-4), 1-6, 10-8.
 
Complementing strong singles performances, the Tigers took three of four doubles matches as well. 
 
Carlsson teamed up with Julien Gauthier to produce an 8-6 victory over Delinks and Johan Beigart.
 
LSU’s Bowtell and Turbervill defeated UCF tandem Claudio Romano and Sakey 8-6, and Tiger duo Loup and Roberts moved past Samson and Dolgovykh by the same 8-6 mark.
 
The USF Invitational closes out LSU’s tournament competition until 2010.  The Tigers return to action in the Key Biscayne Invitational slated for Jan. 8-10.
 
USF Invitational
Oct. 30- Nov. 1
Tampa, Fla.
USF Varsity Courts
 
Singles
 
Flight 1
Sebastian Carlsson (LSU) def. Marc Rocafort (UCF), 6-4, 2-6, 11-9
 
Flight 2
Neil Skupski (LSU) def. Blaze Schwartz (UCF), 6-1, 7-5
 
Flight 3
Claudio Romano (UCF) def.  Julien Gauthier (LSU), 6-4, 5-7, 10-3
 
Flight 4
Johan Beigart (UCF) def. Stefan Szacinski (LSU), 6-5, 6-1
 
Flight 5
Mark Bowtell (LSU) def. Brock Sakey (UCF), 6-2, 6-4
 
Flight 6
James Turbervill (LSU) def. Eugene Dolgovykh (UCF), 7-6 (7-4),  6-4,
 
Flight 7
David Roberts (LSU) def. Mario Samson (UCF), 7-6 (7-4), 1-6, 10-8
 
Flight 8
Cody Loup (LSU) def. Joe Delinks (UCF), 6-2, 6-0
 
Doubles
 
Flight 1
Blaze Schwartz/ Marc Rocafort (UCF) def. Neal Skupski/ Stefan Szacinski (LSU), 9-8 (8-6)
 
Flight 2
Sebastian Carlsson/ Julien Gauthier (LSU) def.  Johan Beigart/ Joe Delinks (UCF), 8-6
 
Flight 3
Mark Bowtell/ James Turbervill (LSU) def.  Brock Sakey/ Claudio Romano (UCF), 8-6
 
Flight 4
Cody Loup/ David Roberts (LSU) def. Mario Samson/ Eugene Dolgovykh (UCF), 8-6