Czechia comes back to beat United States, advances to Davis Cup Finals

After the Americans won a thrilling doubles rubber, Czechia had its back against the wall in Davis Cup qualifying on Sunday evening in Delray Beach.

Nonetheless, the visiting side took each of the two reverse singles to defeat the United States 3-2 and secure a spot in the eight-team finals this fall in Bologna, Italy. Jiri Lehecka drew his nation level by upsetting Taylor Fritz 6-4, 3-6, 6-4. That set the stage for a winner-take-all decider, in which Jakub Mensik took down Frances Tiafoe 6-1, 6-4. Mensik won the first 12 points of the match and really controlled it from start to finish aside from giving back an early break in the second set.

With Ben Shelton and Tommy Paul sidelined by injuries, the Americans had no alternatives to a slumping Tiafoe and an ill Fritz. Although Fritz recovered from several days of being unable to practice and got the weekend started with a victory over Mensik on Day 1, the world No. 5 did not have quite enough left in the tank to survive a grueling three-setter against an in-form Lehecka.

“Hats off to the Czech team,” Team USA captain Bob Bryan commented. “Tomas Berdych came in here and prepared his team well. It’s a tough team on paper, and they played like they can. They hit big serves on the break points–on the big points–and the deserved to win. They’ll be dangerous in Bologna; that’s a team that can win the tournament.”

The Czechs will join Italy, Spain, Argentina, France, Germany, Belgium, and Austria in the Davis Cup Finals.