Czech Republic and USA Draw Even in Davis Cup Qualifier
GREENVILLE, SC – The United States and the Czech โRepublic are tied 1-1 after the first day of their Davis Cup qualifyingโข tie, following victories by Frances โTiafoe โขand Taylorโ Fritz on โfriday. The โฃresults set the stage for a pivotal second day of competition as both nations vie for a spot in the Davis Cup Finals.
The โคmatchup, held in Greenville, โคSouth Carolina, saw Tiafoe defeated Jiลรญ Leheฤka 3-6, 2-6, while Fritz overcame Jakub Menลกรญk 6-4, 6-3. this qualifying round is crucial for both teams, with the winner advancing to the prestigious Davis Cup Finals later this year. The Czech Republicโ is seeking to re-establish itself as โคa Davis Cup contender, while the United States aims to build onโ its recent momentum in the competition.
Fritz secured his win after a hard-fought battle against the 20-year-old Menลกรญk.Despite both players experiencing early breaks in serve, Fritz gained the upper hand,โ securing anotherโ break in the seventh game to lead โค5-3 in the first set. Menลกรญk fought valiantly,โ saving four set points in the ninth game, but fritz ultimately closed out the set on his sixth opportunity.
The second set followed a similar pattern, with Menลกรญkโค dropping his serve early. Fritz extended his lead to 5-1 before Menลกรญk mounted a brief comeback, saving three break points to return to 5-2. However, he wasโฃ unable toโฃ capitalize onโ a โข40-0 lead on his own serve,โ and Fritz converted his fourth match point to secure the victory in one hourโ and 41 minutes. He registered fiveโฃ breaks โof serve โand nine โขaces throughout the match.
Earlier in the day, Tiafoe lost to Leheฤkaโ in straight sets.โฃ
Saturday’s play will โคfeature reverse singlesโข matches, โคfollowed by a potential deciding โคdoubles โฃrubber.