They confronted off in a late-night US Open thriller and can meet once more in Czechia tomorrow.
Richard PagliaroSeptember 17, 20263 minute learn
By Richard Pagliaro | Thursday, September 17, 2026
Photograph credit score: USTA. Photograph caption U.S. Davis Cup staff (left to proper): Martin Damm, Ben Shelton, Learner Tien, Austin Krajicek, Christian Harrison, Captain Bob Bryan.
Two of tennis’ high younger abilities lit up the US Open in a late-night thriller.
Tomorrow, Learner Tien takes on Jakub Mensik once more with a visit to the Davis Cup Closing 8 determined this weekend.
World No. 13 Tien will launch the US’ quest to return to the Davis Cup Closing 8 towards Mensik in tomorrow’s opening match of the USA v. Czechia Davis Cup Second Spherical Qualifying tie in Prague.
It’s the second time this month the pair will sq. off.
The 20-year-ol Tien, making his Davis Cup debut, owns a 2-0 benefit over the 21-year-old Mensik, who’s ranked No. 15. Tien defeated former Miami Open champion Mensik within the third spherical of the US Open nearly two weeks in the past, coming from down two units to 1 to put up a physically-demanding 6-3, 1-6, 6-7(2), 6-3, 6-4 on Louis Armstrong Stadium in a match that completed after 1:30 a.m.
The draw for the tie was performed in the present day in Prague.
The Tien v. Mensik match might be adopted by US Open finalist Ben Shelton taking part in Czechia’s Jiri Lehecka in Friday’s second singles match.
Final September, Mensik and Lehecka have been Davis Cup heroes main Czechia to a 3-2 day two rally over the host USA on the laborious courts of Delray Seaside, Florida. Mensik and Lehecka delivered a rousing comeback for Czechia main Captain Tomas Berdych’s squad to the Davis Cup Closing 8 in Bologna, Italy.
After dropping the doubles, Lehecka took out Taylor Fritz, overcoming a 0-4 report towards the world No.5, and Mensik clinched the victory with a 6-1, 6-4 conquer Frances Tiafoe.
Staff USA, which is with out Fritz and Tommy Paul, who each withdrew, will goal to avenge that residence defeat this weekend.
Empowered by his historic run to the US Open remaining, Shelton takes on Jiri Lehecka in Friday’s second singles.
World No. 4 Shelton is 3-0 vs. the 24-year-old world No. 24 Lehecka, with a third-set-tiebreak victory coming this season in Stuttgart on grass. They performed final yr in Cincinnati on a tough court docket, and Shelton gained in straight units.
Play begins on Friday at 3 p.m. native time, 9 a.m. ET. Tennis Channel will carry protection within the U.S.
One of the best-of-five-match tie continues on Saturday, starting with the doubles that pits 2026 US Open and Australian Open doubles champion Christian Harrison and former doubles world No. 1 Austin Krajicek towards Adam Pavlasek and Patrik Rikl. The tie then concludes with the reverse singles matches — Shelton vs. Mensik and Tien vs. Lehecka.
The primary staff to register three wins will advance to the Davis Cup Closing 8.
2026 Davis Cup Qualifying Second Spherical
USA vs. Czechia
September 18-19
O2 Area (Indoor Exhausting Court docket)
Prague, Czechia
Tv Protection: Tennis Channel
Friday, September 18 at 3 p.m. native (9 a.m. Japanese time)
Learner Tien (USA) v. Jakub Mensik (CZE)
Ben Shelton (USA) v. Jiri Lehecka (CZE)
Saturday, September 19 at 2 p.m. native (8 a.m. Japanese time)
Christian Harrison / Austin Krajicek (USA) v. Adam Pavlasek/Patrik Rikl (CZE)
Ben Shelton (USA) v. Jakub Mensik (CZE)
Learner Tien (USA) v. Jiri Lehecka (USA)
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