Ben Shelton loses first match since US Open final as Czechia level Davis Cup tie

Friday, 18 September 2026 at 23:35

Jiri Lehecka overpowered Ben Shelton in his first match since losing in the US Open final to Alexander Zverev in front of more than 13,000 fans gathered in Prague to cheer on a strong Czechia team at the Davis Cup. Their second round showdown continues here and it is currently 1-1.

Lehecka repelled everything Shelton had when it came to the other end as Shelton immediately sprung into action again after Flushing Meadows albeit he has decided to cancel playing in the Laver Cup next week. Shelton though is still searching for his first Davis Cup win, he dispatched his rival 6-4, 6-4.

The 24-year-old left the tie finely poised at 1-1 ahead of Saturday which will feature the doubles before the reverse singles take centre stage and decide the destiny of the day.

“It is tough say whether this was my best moment in Davis Cup because this is a team competition and the most important thing is to win as a team, not necessarily as an individual,” said Lehecka post match as per Davis Cup.

“That said, this win is very good for me, and I am very happy with the way I performed. But now, all eyes are on tomorrow and we will do whatever we can to rest well and prepare well, and we will see how it goes.

“To answer the question, however, I don’t know whether it was my best moment, but it was definitely one of the best feelings I have ever experienced on a tennis court.”

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Tien lives up to pressure cauldron

Earlier in the contest, Learner Tien comfortably dispatched Jakub Mensik in the opening singles match to hand the US a dream start in their quest to reach the Davis Cup Final Eight.

The 20-year-old Davis Cup debutant rose to the occasion and overpowered Mensik 6-2, 6-4 to fire his country into a 1-0 lead. Facing the cauldron of noise in the O2 Arena in Prague, Tien could've easily have folded. But he didn't and managed to be superbly exquisite.

It is also a place synonymous with Czech tennis having witnessed the second of three Davis Cup titles in 2012 when Tomas Berdych who currently captains the side starring. He won his opening singles match of that year's final against Spain before teaming up with Radek Stepanek in doubles. They won 3-2 and claimed silverware.

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Mensik stumbled under the pressure against a player who is also on the up and doesn't wilt under the pressure. The same can't be said for Shelton for the US. But thanks to Lehecka, the dream is still to be written. It may come down to Shelton still though in the reverse fixture against Mensik. So an interesting few days await.

Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief

Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.

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