Czechs beat USA in Prague as Lehecka wins deciding rubber to qualify for Davis Cup finals
Jiri Lehecka beat Learner Tien in a deciding rubber on September 19, 2026, in Prague as the Czech Republic edged the United States 3-2 in a Davis Cup second-round qualifier. South Korea also reached the last eight for the first time after defeating India in Seoul.
The Czech victory repeated last year's shock exit of the Americans at the same stage, when Jakub Mensik beat Frances Tiafoe in a deciding match at Delray Beach. The United States remain the competition's record 32-time winners but have not taken the title since 2007. The Czech team secured qualification for the November eight-team finals in Bologna. "The wins in Davis Cup are always a little bit different because this is a team competition," said Lehecka.
The tie was poised at 1-1 before the United States moved ahead in a dramatic doubles, with Christian Harrison and Austin Krajicek saving four match points to defeat Adam Pavlasek and Patrik Rikl 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 (10/8). Jakub Mensik then recovered from a set down to beat Ben Shelton 5-7, 6-4, 6-3, forcing a decider; Shelton had taken the first set after saving a set point when trailing 5-4, while Mensik — a 21-year-old semi-finalist at this year's French Open — produced a booming forehand at a late stage of the second to level the match and converted his second match point in the final game.
Lehecka, who had beaten Shelton in straight sets on Friday (September 18, 2026), surrendered an early break before taking the first set and withstood a 3-0 charge from Tien in the second before closing out a 6-3, 7-5 victory on his fourth match point. "I must say it has been a great week. But, most importantly, we made it through as a team," Lehecka said. "Without Jakub winning against Ben, I would not have the chance to play the final match."
In Seoul, Kwon Soon-woo sealed South Korea's 3-1 win over India by defeating Sumit Nagal 6-1, 6-2; the Koreans had won both Friday singles rubbers before India took the doubles. "I feel very proud for my country and every team I play against, I give my best," said Kwon.
Canada progressed to the last eight with a 3-1 victory over France in Quebec City, with Benjamin Bonzi and Pierre-Hugues Herbert beating Felix Auger-Aliassime and Duncan Chan 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 in the doubles to keep France in contention after two singles defeats on Friday. World number five Auger-Aliassime then rallied to beat Arthur Rinderknech 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 and ensure Canada's advancement; Canada last won the Davis Cup in 2022 while France's last triumph came in 2017. In Vienna, Jurij Rodionov completed a 3-1 success for the hosts by beating Zizou Bergs 7-6 (8/6), 6-3; Bergs was Belgium's number one in the absence of Alexander Blockx.
Alexander Zverev gave Germany a 1-0 lead over Croatia in Halle by defeating Matej Dodig 6-4, 7-6 (7/3), but Dino Prizmic levelled the tie for Croatia with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Daniel Altmaier. Spain took a 2-0 advantage over Chile in Santiago as Daniel Merida and Davis Cup debutant Rafael Jodar beat Alejandro Tabilo and Cristian Garin respectively. In London, Britain's Toby Samuel overcame Andres Andrade of Ecuador and Arthur Fery defeated Alvaro Guillen Meza as the hosts established a 2-0 lead.
The Czech Republic will take their place in the November eight-team finals in Bologna, where hosts Italy will bid for a fourth straight title, while South Korea will appear in the last eight for the first time.