PARIS:
The Czech Republic upset the USA 3-2 to advance in Davis Cup second-round qualifiers whereas Belgium pushed Australia to the brink of elimination on Saturday.
The US-Czech conflict at Delray Seaside, Florida, got here all the way down to a decisive remaining singles match by which Czech Jakub Mensik defeated American Frances Tiafoe 6-1, 6-4.
Mensik gained the primary 12 factors of the match, holding twice within the span for a 3-0 lead on the best way to a lopsided first-set victory.
They exchanged breaks to begin the second set however Mensik broke once more on a backhand cross-court volley winner for a 5-4 lead and held with an ace to ship the Czechs to the Davis Cup remaining.
Germany, Argentina, Austria and France additionally superior to affix defending champions Italy within the eight-team remaining at Bologna in November.
The People, document 32-time winners who have not lifted the trophy since 2007, cut up Friday’s first two singles with the Czechs.
Paris Olympic silver medallists Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram beat Tomas Machac and Jakub Mensik 7-6 (8/6), 5-7, 6-4, in a Saturday doubles match.
However fifth-ranked Taylor Fritz, a two-time ATP champion at Delray Seaside, was upset by Sixteenth-ranked Czech Jiri Lehecka 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 to drive a deciding remaining singles match.
Lehecka, 0-4 beforehand towards Fritz, hit a backhand down-the-line winner to interrupt within the final sport for the victory.
At Sydney, Raphael Collignon surprised world quantity eight Alex de Minaur for the largest win of his profession as Belgium took a 2-0 lead over Australia coming into Sunday’s remaining matches.
Germany beat Japan 4-0 in Tokyo with Argentina downing the Netherlands 3-1 in Groningen.
Hungary pulled stage with Austria earlier than Jurij Rodionov took a decisive singles win over Marton Fucsovics to provide Austria a 3-2 victory.
In Osijek, Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic gave hosts Croatia hope of a well-known comeback towards France with a doubles victory over Benjamin Bonzi and Pierre-Hugues Herbert.
However Davis Cup debutant Corentin Moutet accomplished the job for France with a 7-5, 6-4 conquer Marin Cilic that clinched the tie 3-1.
At Australia’s Ken Rosewall Area, 23-year-old Collignon, ranked 91, overcame cramping to attain a 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 upset over de Minaur after greater than three hours of play.
Belgian primary Zizou Bergs then beat Jordan Thompson 7-6 (7/4), 6-4 within the different singles rubber.
The 28-time champions Australia, runners-up in 2022 and 2023 and 2024 semi-finalists, want to comb each reverse singles and the doubles on Sunday.
– ‘It feels superb’ –
Collignon took a career-best win over world quantity 12 Casper Ruud on the US Open en path to the third spherical however beating de Minaur was his largest triumph.
“It feels superb, I assumed I would not be capable of end the match as a result of I obtained cramp so dangerous originally of the third,” stated Collignon.
“I attempted to go for it, give attention to the serve and I do not know the way I gained.
“I believe while you play on your nation there isn’t a ache… I’m very joyful.”
After the Belgian took the primary set, de Minaur surged again with 10 consecutive factors to take cost of the second and with Collignon doubling over with cramp within the first sport of the third set, it appeared the Australian would financial institution the win.
However Collignon battled on to provide his nation an sudden benefit.
“It feels nice for the workforce,” stated Bergs. “We did an excellent job as we speak, however we’re removed from the top.”
Within the different tie that ends Sunday, Eleventh-ranked Holger Rune helped put Denmark forward 2-0 over six-time champions Spain with a 7-5, 6-3 win over Pablo Carreno Busta in Marbella, the place Elmer Moeller beating Jaume Munar in three units.
At Tokyo, doubles duo Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz sealed the profitable level for the Germans towards Yosuke Watanuki and Takeru Yuzuki 6-3, 7-6 (7/4).
Justin Engel made it 4-0 after a 6-3, 6-7 (2/7), 10-7 battle with Rei Sakamoto.
Argentina’s Andres Molteni and Horacio Zeballos sealed the profitable level within the doubles towards the Netherlands.
