By Richard Pagliaro | Saturday, September 19, 2026
Photograph credit score: Adam Nurkiewicz/Getty/WorldTennis
Czechia stars Jiri Lehecka and Jakub Mensik delivered a jolting sense of Davis Cup deja blue to the US.
Trailing Group USA 1-2, on the blue arduous courtroom of Prague’s O2 Enviornment, Mensik beat Ben Shelton 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 to degree the tie and set the stage for Lehecka’s heroics.
Within the decisive singles, a relaxed Lehecka defeated Davis Cup debutant Learner Tien 6-3, 7-5 to clinch Czechia’s 3-2 overcome the US within the Davis Cup Qualifying Second Spherical.
On his second match level, Lehecka lasered a diagonal forehand winner then dropped to his knees in an eruption of emotion as Czech followers and gamers roared in pleasure.
The Twenty fourth-ranked Lehecka scored two of Czechia’s three victories on this tie, together with a 6-4, 6-4 sweep of Shelton, who was enjoying his first match since bowing to Alexander Zverev within the US Open ultimate, on Friday evening.
At present’s singles wins propel Czechia into the Davis Cup Ultimate 8 November 24-Twenty ninth on the Tremendous Tennis Enviornment in Bologna.
That is the second straight yr the USA led Czechia 2-1 on the ultimate day of play solely to see Mensik and Lehecka ship heroic singles performances in opposition to American stars.
A yr in the past, Lehecka beat Taylor Fritz, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 to degree Czechia with the USA in a Davis Cup Qualifying tie in Delray Seashore. Then Mensik crushed Frances Tiafoe 6-1, 6-4 to clinch Czechia’s 3-2 victory in Delray Seashore, Florida.
“No regrets. There’s zero regrets,” U.S. Davis Cup Captain Bob Bryan stated. “We introduced the most effective staff attainable. Ben’s setting an instance, win or lose, he’s setting an instance to the youthful technology on what it means to prioritize enjoying to your nation.
“Which means so much, and when the mud settles and the outcomes fade away, that’s crucial factor is setting a tradition, an instance for the youthful youngsters. So, tremendous pleased with Ben for a way he competed. These guys battle their hearts out. They confirmed plenty of coronary heart, so I’m pleased with it.”
Miami Open finalist Lehecka got here out firing within the decisive duel right now. Lehecka blocked a excessive backhand volley for break level. Defending a collection of corner-to-corner drives, Lehecka broke for 2-0 when Tien netted a drop shot.
The left-hander got here proper again knocking a backhand cross down the road to interrupt again within the third sport. Tien held to degree after 4 video games.
The 20-year-old Tien got here out attacking the Lehecka forehand, Within the seventh sport, Tien fired a flurry of forehands into the Czech’s backhand wing draining an error for double break level. Lehecka saved each break factors, defusing the dilemma in holding for 4-3.
Tightening up a bit, Tien double faulted and flat-lined a forehand into web as Lehecka broke for 5-3.
Even at 30-All, Lehecka lashed some snapping forehands to serve out the opening set.
Down a set, Tien drew first-break blood within the second for a 2-0 lead.
Holding serve was a problem for Tien as Lehecka unleashed his all-court expertise, climaxed by deadening a drop volley winner to interrupt again for 2-3.
An assertive Lehecka flattened a forehand down the road and approached drawing an errant cross for Love-30. Getting into the courtroom, Lehecka scalded a forehand down the alternative sideline that singed the baseline for triple break level within the eleventh sport.
Dashing ahead on the second break level, Lehecka dipped a superb backhand drop volley winner, breaking with a trendy flourish for 6-5.
Serving to raise his nation to the Davis Cup Ultimate 8, Lehecka drove a serve down the T for match level.
In a 23-shot rally, Tien countered every part the Czech threw at him, drawing a netted forehand for deuce.
Confronting break level, Lehecka drilled a sharp-angled ace out vast to convey it again to deuce. Backpedaling, Lehecka soared for a smash that gave him a second match level. Lehecka double faulted into web then went to the towel to wipe his arms and clear his thoughts.
Tien nudged a second-serve return vast giving Czechia a 3rd match level. This time, Tien ran down a drop volley and zapped a forehand cross.
Slashing successive forehand winners, Lehecka dropped to the courtroom finishing a Czech comeback to ship the USA to its knees for the second straight yr.
“A greater begin would have been profitable, however I imply I at all times assume it’s an honor and a privilege to signify my nation,” Tien stated. “I’m simply gutted I wasn’t in a position to get it finished for my staff, however I’d love to have the ability to play extra Davis Cups sooner or later.”
Jakub Mensik (CZE) d. Ben Shelton (USA), 5-7, 6-4, 6-3
Jakub Mensik slammed an ace out vast closing a comeback conquest with a bang.
The Roland Garros semifinalist Mensik fought off US Open finalist Ben Shelton 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 to degree Czechia with the US, 2-2.
Menacing on serve, Mensik gained 45 of 51 factors performed on his first serve defeating Shelton for the third time in 5 conferences.
Mensik’s victory set the stage for the tie clinching showdown between Czech Davis Cup hero Jiri Lehecka and U.S. Davis Cup debutant Learner Tien.
Serving with command, Mensik threw down 4 love holds and permitted only one level on serve forging a 5-4 lead.
Staring down a set level within the tenth sport, Shelton didn’t shrink.
The US Open finalist fired a collection of twisting topspin forehands, drawing the error to erase set level. Shelton slid serve winner down the T to degree.
Ruing his misplaced alternative, Mensik mind cramped bunting a drop shot into web then watching Shelton chased down one other dropper and hammer a smash to fall right into a Love-30 deficit. Shelton crunched a crackling return proper again by the center handcuffing Mensik right into a netted reply because the American broke for 6-5.
Opening the courtroom with a heavy forehand crosscourt, Shelton stepped up and lanced the road with a diagonal forehand strike to finish the 48-minute opening set. Shelton tossed his pocketed ball apart as he walked to the staff bench, stealing a set the place Mensik appeared to be in cost—and silencing Czech followers who had been enjoying horns and pounding booming bass drums.
Resilience gained Shelton the opening set and carried him by a troublesome take a look at halfway by the second set. Down Love-30, Shelton reeled off 4 factors in a row pumping an ace to carry for 3-All.
Repeating the sample of the opening set, Mensik once more earned set factors within the tenth sport. Shelton slammed a forehand winner smack off the baseline to save lots of the primary set level.
On his second set level, Mensik banged a diagonal return that despatched Shelton racing to his left to stab again a defensive reply. Mensik was ready and whipped a crosscourt forehand winner to shut the second set.
Wrapping on a brand new pair of white wrist bands in the beginning of the third set, Shelton tried to shake off that ultimate sport lapse.
The issue for Shelton was Mensik hit his stride on serve and was more and more calling the pictures in pivotal factors.
Mensik earned break level within the eighth sport of the decider.
Attacking behind a excessive backhand volley, Mensik bashed a smash winner to interrupt for 5-3 then waved his arms exhorting followers to make extra noise.
Seeing the end line in sight, Mensik sprinted by it throwing down his ninth ace to seal the win and power the fifth and deciding match.
Christian Harrison / Austin Krajicek (USA) d. Adam Pavlasek/Patrik Rikl (CZE) 5-7, 6-3, 7-6(8)
Displaying shared poise below strain, Christian Harrison and Austin Krajicek made a stirring stand to stake Group USA to a 2-1 lead over Czechia earlier right now.
Grand Slam doubles champions Harrison and Krajicek fought off 4 match factors out-dueling Czechs Adam Pavlasek and Patrik Rikl 5-7, 6-3, 7-6(8) in an absolute doubles thrill experience that had nearly every part.
An exhilarating drama escalated deep into the third set. Harrison and Krajicek saved one match level serving at 4-5. The pair saved a second match level serving at 5-6 to power the tie break.
Within the decisive tie break, the People shot out to a 3-1 lead and held match level at 6-5 solely to see the Czechs put it aside. Group USA saved two extra match factors—at 6-7 and 7-8 because the Czech duo struggled with returns—the third and fourth match factors they confronted.
An excellent forehand return winner from the left-handed Krajicek and a Harrison smash helped the People seal an epic doubles showdown setting the stage for the singles matches to comply with.,
2026 Davis Cup Qualifying Second Spherical
Czechia 3, USA 2
September 18-19
O2 Enviornment (Indoor Exhausting Court docket)
Prague, Czechia
Friday, September 18
Learner Tien (USA) d. Jakub Mensik (CZE) 6-2, 6-4
Jiri Lehecka (CZE) d. Ben Shelton (USA) 6-4, 6-4
Saturday, September 19
Christian Harrison / Austin Krajicek (USA) d. Adam Pavlasek/Patrik Rikl (CZE) 5-7, 6-3, 7-6(8)
Jakub Mensik (CZE) d. Ben Shelton (USA) 5-7, 6-4, 6-3
Jiri Lehecka (CZE) d. Learner Tien (USA) 6-3, 7-5
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