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Czechia Beat U.S. 3-2 to Qualify for Davis Cup Final 8

Built on a dramatic doubles escape, Jakub Menšík’s comeback led to Jiří Lehečka’s clinching win that sent Czechia to Bologna.

Overview

  • Czechia defeated the United States 3-2 on Saturday when Jiří Lehečka beat Learner Tien 6-3, 7-5 to clinch the deciding rubber in Prague.
  • The tie turned on a tense doubles match in which Christian Harrison and Austin Krajicek saved four match points to pull the U.S. level before Menšík rallied past Ben Shelton.
  • Jakub Menšík recovered from a set down to beat Ben Shelton 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 in the fourth rubber and forced the final singles showdown.
  • Learner Tien opened the series with a straight-sets win over Menšík and Ben Shelton lost his first match since the U.S. Open final when Jiri Lehecka beat him 6-4, 6-4 on Day 1.
  • The seven winners from this qualifying weekend will join host and three-time defending champion Italy in the November Final 8 in Bologna, and the U.S. — 32-time Davis Cup champions — are eliminated from this year’s Finals.