Lehecka seals dramatic victory in Prague as South Korea make historical past by reaching final eight
PARIS:
Jiri Lehecka downed Learner Tien in a deciding rubber because the Czech Republic surprised the US 3-2 in Davis Cup qualifying for a second straight 12 months, whereas South Korea reached the final eight for the primary time on Saturday.
The Czechs knocked out the People on the identical second qualifying spherical stage in a deciding rubber in Delray Seaside a 12 months in the past, when Jakub Mensik beat Frances Tiafoe to safe a shock victory.
Tomas Berdych’s males repeated the feat in equally dramatic trend, to the delight of a raucous house crowd in Prague, as Lehecka clinched a 6-3, 7-5 win over world quantity 13 Tien.
The USA are document 32-time winners of the competitors however their anticipate a primary title since 2007 goes on.
The Czechs advance to the November eight-team finals in Bologna, the place hosts Italy will bid for a fourth straight title.
“The wins in Davis Cup are all the time a bit bit completely different as a result of it is a staff competitors,” stated Lehecka.
After beginning the day locked at 1-1, the USA nudged forward as Christian Harrison and Austin Krajicek saved 4 match factors to outlast Adam Pavlasek and Patrik Rikl in an exciting 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 (10/8) win.
Mensik then fought again from a set right down to preserve the tie alive by defeating current US Open runner-up Ben Shelton 5-7, 6-4, 6-3.
Shelton took a tense first set after saving a set level when trailing 5-4, reeling off the final three video games.
Mensik created a set level at precisely the identical stage of the second, however this time made no mistake with a booming forehand to degree the match.
The 21-year-old, a semi-finalist at this 12 months’s French Open, compelled the tie right into a deciding rubber on his second match level in a tense closing sport.
Lehecka, who beat Shelton in straight units on Friday, recovered after giving an early break again to take the primary set.
Tien cast 3-0 forward as he tried to pressure the tie all the way in which to a closing set, however fell away and Lehecka clinched a superb win on his fourth match level.
“I need to say it has been an important week. However, most significantly, we made it by as a staff. With out Jakub profitable in opposition to Ben, I’d not have the possibility to play the ultimate match,” added Lehecka.
Historical past-making South Korea
Earlier, South Korea made historical past by beating India 3-1 in Seoul.
Kwon Quickly-woo brushed Sumit Nagal apart 6-1, 6-2 to clinch the decisive level for the Koreans, who received each of Friday’s singles rubbers earlier than India triumphed within the doubles.
“I really feel very proud for my nation and each staff I play in opposition to, I give my greatest,” stated Kwon.
Austria additionally booked their spot as Jurij Rodionov sealed a 3-1 win for the hosts in Vienna with a 7-6 (8/6), 6-3 victory over Zizou Bergs, Belgium’s primary within the absence of Alexander Blockx.
Rodionov bought Austria on the board in Friday’s opening singles earlier than Bergs pulled Belgium degree.
Doubles pair Lucas Miedler and Neil Oberleitner then beat Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen in straight units to place Austria again on high.
France stored their tie with Canada alive, as Benjamin Bonzi and Pierre-Hugues Herbert beat Felix Auger-Aliassime and Duncan Chan in straight units within the second day’s opening doubles match to chop their deficit to 2-1.
Newly-crowned US Open champion Alexander Zverev gave Germany a 1-0 lead over Croatia in Halle, making a fast return to motion as he beat Matej Dodig 6-4, 7-6 (7/3).
However Germany, who haven’t received the Davis Cup since 1993, have been pegged again to finish the primary day degree as Croatian teenager Dino Prizmic brushed apart Daniel Altmaier 6-4, 6-3.
Spain continued their tilt at a seventh title by seizing a 2-0 lead over Chile in Santiago courtesy of singles wins for Daniel Merida and Davis Cup debutant Rafael Jodar over Alejandro Tabilo and Cristian Garin, respectively.
Britain’s Toby Samuel overcame Andres Andrade of Ecuador and Wimbledon semi-finalist Arthur Fery noticed off Alvaro Guillen Meza because the hosts took a 2-0 benefit in London.