The Davis Cup qualifying tie between the U.S. and Czechia had reached a place where few expected it to end up: a fifth rubber. An hour or so earlier, the States had appeared to be in the driver’s seat. They had won a hard-fought doubles match earlier in the day to take a 2-1 lead. After that, Taylor Fritz had looked like a strong favorite to clinch against Jiri Lehecka, an opponent he had beaten all four times they had played. Fritz had been sick through the week, but he’s also known for coming through in the clutch, and he had already recorded a straight-set win over Jakub Mensik the previous day.
When Fritz fought back to win the second set, and then held at love to level the third at 4-4, there seemed to be little reason for U.S. fans to worry. Lehecka is a pure ball-striker, but not known—or at least not know yet—as a top-tier closer. Last month in Toronto, he lost to Fritz in three excruciatingly close tiebreak sets.
But Davis Cup is a different animal, and playing for a team and country can stiffen the spines of athletes who let their doubts get the better of them when they compete for themselves. Lehecka quickly held his own serve for 5-4, and then made two excellent backhand passes to break Fritz for the match. Out of the blue, Czechia had the momentum.
