Peachtree City, Ga. – The Georgia State men's tennis team (15-7) downed in-state foe Georgia Southern,  4-1, on Saturday at the Peachtree City Tennis Center in the Sun Belt Championship semifinal. With the win, the Panthers advance to Sunday's Championship match.

The two rivals faced one another earlier this season where GSU walked away with a 7-0 sweep. In today's contest the Panthers once again jumped to a quick lead.  Andrei Duarte and Roberts Grinvalds, the No. 81 doubles pair, got things rolling with a quick 6-1 decision on the second court. The remaining courts engaged in closer contests, but ultimately Mihai Marinescu and Vazha Shubladze closed doubles play with a 6-3 win in the third position. 

Shubladze would continue to perform well in singles play, notching his 13th victory of the season for the blue and white. It looked like GSU would run away with the contest as Harvey Maughan bested his opposition on the second court 7-5, 6-4.

The Eagles would continue to fight to stay alive, as Kevin Huynh fell on court five. Georgia Southern attempted to close the deficit, taking each of the remaining courts went to a third set. With play tight on each of the remaing courts senior Duarte clinched Georgia State's spot in the finals with a 7-6, 2-6, 6-3 victory on court three. 

This marks the fourth straight SBC Final appearance for Georgia State. GSU last took home the title in 2017. The Panthers will either face Troy or South Alabama. GSU has faced both squads this year, emerging victorious in both matchups. 

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