The Czech Republic completed a stunning comeback to eliminate the United States from the Davis Cup 2026 on Saturday, winning 3-2 in a second-round qualifier at Prague's O2 Arena. Jakub Mensik and Jiri Lehecka won the final two singles rubbers after the Americans had taken a 2-1 lead through the doubles.
The result means the USA — who had entered the tie as heavy favourites following Ben Shelton's run to the US Open final — will not feature at the Davis Cup Finals in Bologna this November. It is the second consecutive year the Czechs have knocked out the Americans at this stage of the competition.
A Tie That Swung Back and Forth
The opening day on Friday had set the tone for a dramatic contest. Learner Tien gave the USA an early advantage by beating Mensik 6-2, 6-4 in the first singles, but Lehecka levelled the tie at 1-1 with a commanding 6-4, 6-4 victory over Shelton — his first loss since the US Open final in New York.
On Saturday, the American doubles pair of Christian Harrison and Austin Krajicek restored the lead, grinding out a 5-7, 6-3, 7-6(8) win over Adam Pavlasek and Patrik Riki in a tight match that required a tiebreak to decide the third set. At 2-1, the USA needed just one more win from the remaining two singles matches.
Mensik Turns the Screw on Shelton
Mensik, the world No. 15, had other ideas. He faced Shelton in the fourth rubber and came from a set down to win 5-7, 6-4, 6-3, levelling the tie at 2-2 and setting up a decider between Lehecka and Tien.
For Shelton, it was a second consecutive loss in the tie and his third defeat in four matches since reaching the US Open final — a sharp contrast to the form that had carried him to the showpiece event in New York.
Lehecka Seals It
Lehecka, who had beaten Shelton the previous day, maintained his stranglehold on the tie. He dispatched Tien 6-3, 7-5 in a hard-fought deciding rubber that sent the home crowd into raptures. The victory was Lehecka's 14th Davis Cup singles win, drawing him level with Lukas Rosol in fourth place on the all-time Czech list.
"The wins in Davis Cup are always a little bit different because this is a team competition," Lehecka said. "For me, as an individual, these two wins are super-important. I fought through tough moments but Davis Cup needs teamwork."
The Czech Republic will now travel to Bologna for the Finals in November — their fourth consecutive appearance and fifth overall. For the USA, the defeat marks a disappointing end to a season in which Shelton had been the breakout star of the American tennis scene.
Sources
- https://sportstar.thehindu.com/tennis/davis-cup-2026-usa-vs-czechia-shelton-mensik-austria-britain-results-latest/article71487009.ece
- https://www.daviscup.com/en/news/czechia-3-2-usa-lehecka-the-hero-in-davis-cup-all-time-classic
