When Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram triomous in a tightly disputed double rubber on Saturday in Delray Beach, it seemed that the United States had control over the second round of the Davis Cup qualifications against the Czech Republic. But Jiri Lehecka and Jakub Mensik had their own plan.
Lehecka struck Taylor Fritz, the number 5 player in the PIF ATP ranking, to keep the hope of the Czech Republic alive. Mensik then sealed the draw for his country, 3-2, with a victory late in the evening against Frances Tiafoe.
During a long day in Florida with a long-term lightning delay, Lehecka walked open on the field in the house of the Delray Beach knowing that he had to overcome a 0-4 Lexus ATP Head2head record against Fritz. The recent US Open quarter finalist did exactly that, making the American 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 upset.
Fritz fought hard against the Czech, which he defeated less than two months ago in a last set of Tie-Break in Toronto. But Lehecka exerted consistent pressure on the top player in the draw, earned 17 breaking points and converted three of them to level 2-2.
Mensik stated that the opportunity to play the hero in the same state where he claimed ATP Masters 1000 Glory earlier this year on the Miami Open presented by Itau. The 23-year-old passed Tiafoe 6-1, 6-4 around the Battle of midnight to send his country to Bologna.
Krajicek and Ram, the silver medal winners of Paris, had given the United States a 2-1 advantage with a fight of 7-6 (6), 5-7, 6-4 victory against Tomas Machac and Mensik.
The countries that have already qualified for the Davis Cup Final 8 are defending champion Italy, the Czech Republic, Argentina, Austria, Germany and France.
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