Czech team takes down United States in Davis Cup action in Delray Beach

Twenty-year-old Jakub Mensik clinched Czechia’s spot in the Davis Cup Final 8 in a classic Second Round Qualifying tie that went to the decisive fifth rubber. Mensik defeated Frances Tiafoe, 6-1, 6-4, to secure the 3-2 win for Czechia. 

Earlier in the day, the American pair of Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram won a thrilling three-set match that featured a two-hour weather delay, which gave the U.S. a 2-1 lead. World No. 16 Jiri Lehecka defeated Taylor Fritz, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, to even the score at 2-2 before Mensik closed out the tie just after midnight. 

Photo credit: Isabella Forcella

Florida Tennis asked Captain Bob Bryan about how he will assist the U.S. Team in dealing with a very tough loss to Czechia. “If you prepare the right way, and you compete, and you give it everything you got on the court, there [are] no regrets, you know. That’s what I learned during my career,” explained Bryan.

The U.S. Captain added, “So that's what we just try to tell the guys. You know... look, you can live with a loss if you did everything you can. If there's stuff you could have done, then, you know, that's something you got to live with. But that's all I can say.”

He concluded, “As far as me imparting some experience on the guys, it's just [putting in] the work and being professional and, you know, just going about your business that way.”

Up next, Czechia advances to the eight-nation Davis Cup Final 8 in November in Bologna, Italy. Meanwhile, the U.S. awaits its draw for the 2026 Qualifying round, which will feature a traditional home-and-away tie in February.

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Source: USTA. Additional reporting by Florida Tennis contributor Adam Ross. Photo credit (top): Mauricio Paz.