USA is hosting the Czech Republic in the 2nd round of the Davis Cup Qualifiers stage in Delray Beach. Two strong teams are tied at 1-1 after the first day of action on an outdoor hard court.
Jiri Lehecka bested Frances Tiafoe 6-3, 6-2 in under an hour and 20 minutes in the first match to send his team in front. Lehecka played against no break points and seized three of six opportunities on the return.
The Czech claimed the opening set with a break in game eight. The American could not raise his level in the second set. He suffered two breaks a dn propelled his rival over the top.
The top-ranked American Taylor Fritz had to beat Jakub Mensik in the second rubber to avoid a massive deficit ahead of the second day. Taylor delivered and provided a 6-4, 6-3 victory in an hour ad 41 minutes.
Fritz played better behind the first and second serve. He defended three of five break points and stole Mensik's serve five times from 13 opportunities. The Czech struggled behind the second serve and failed to provide a top-10 triumph.
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They traded breaks at the beginning of the duel, and Taylor denied another break point in game four for 2-2. The Czech wasted game points at 3-3 and experienced a break to fall behind.
Mensik served to stay in the set in game nine and saved four set points to prolong the action. However, Taylor held at love at 5-4 with a forehand down the line winner to complete the first part of the duel.
The homeplayerprovided breaks in games one and five of the second set and moved 5-1 in front. He served for the win at 5-2 and squandered three match points before losing serve.
Fritz made a push on the return at 5-3 and claimed five straight points, converting a match point after a terrible backhand from his rival to bring the win home and lock the overall result at 1-1.
