DELRAY BEACH, FL – A stunning late-night comeback secured Czechia‘s place in the Davis Cup Final 8, as Jiří Lehečka upset Taylor Fritz and Jakub Mensik clinched the decisive victory against Frances Tiafoe on Saturday. The Czech Republic overcame a 2-1 deficit to defeat the United States 3-2 in a tie delayed by lightning at the Delray Beach Open.
The win marks a significant upset for the No. 5 ranked Fritz and propels Czechia into the Final 8 alongside defending champion Italy, Argentina, Austria, Germany, and France. The Davis Cup Final 8 will be held in Bologna. This result underscores Czechia’s growing strength in the competition and denies the United States a spot in the latter stages.
Lehečka overcame a challenging 0-4 Lexus ATP Head2Head record against Fritz to deliver a pivotal win, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4. Despite a recent US Open quarter-final appearance by Fritz, Lehečka consistently pressured his opponent, converting three of 17 break points.
Following a 7-6(6),5-7,6-4 doubles victory for the American duo of Krajicek and ram over Machac and Mensik,the tie rested on Mensik’s shoulders. The 23-year-old delivered, defeating Tiafoe 6-1, 6-4 shortly before midnight, capitalizing on his earlier ATP Masters 1000 success at the Miami Open presented by Itau.
