The University of South Florida men’s tennis team opens its 2026 fall season at the Bedford Cup in Orlando, Fla., from Oct. 2-4. Hosted by UCF, the three-day tournament will include singles and doubles competition for the Bulls. Results from completed matches will be updated throughout each day on the official ITA Tournament page.
South Florida’s Bedford Cup entries
Ettore Danesi and Stepan Mruzek will team up in doubles for the University of South Florida. Leo Galliano and Timeo Gaillard will form another doubles pairing, while freshman Artem Lyapshin will partner with returner James Newton.
Guglielmo Verdese and Ashton McLeod will make up the Bulls’ fourth doubles team. All eight South Florida players will also compete in singles at the Bedford Cup. The tournament will give the program singles and doubles competition across three days in Orlando.
Four newcomers join South Florida
The University of South Florida added four newcomers to its men’s tennis roster. The group includes transfers Walid Ahouda from the University of Louisville and Leo Galliano from the University of North Dakota.
South Florida also added freshmen Artem Lyapshin and Ashton McLeod. Galliano, Lyapshin and McLeod are included in the announced doubles pairings for the Bedford Cup, while all eight Bulls will compete in singles.
Ashley Fisher enters 11th season
Ashley Fisher is in his 11th year as head coach of South Florida men’s tennis during the 2026-27 season. He has guided the Bulls to five NCAA Tournaments, including three trips to the second round.
Fisher was named American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in 2017 and 2019. He led South Florida to the conference title in each of those seasons.
How to follow the Bedford Cup
The Bedford Cup will be held in Orlando, Fla., from Oct. 2-4, with South Florida competing in singles and doubles. The official ITA Tournament page will provide updates for completed matches throughout each day.
South Florida’s doubles entries include four pairings: Ettore Danesi and Stepan Mruzek, Leo Galliano and Timeo Gaillard, Artem Lyapshin and James Newton, and Guglielmo Verdese and Ashton McLeod. All eight Bulls will compete in singles during the tournament.
FSB Take
The University of South Florida begins its fall season with eight singles competitors and four doubles pairings at a UCF-hosted tournament in Orlando. The Bedford Cup also marks an early competition opportunity for four newcomers, including transfers Walid Ahouda and Leo Galliano and freshmen Artem Lyapshin and Ashton McLeod. Match updates will be available through the official ITA Tournament page as the event progresses.
Source: Original report