Ninety-four minutes in Prague
Ben Shelton had not played since the US Open final last week. His return lasted an hour and 34 minutes, and Jiri Lehecka never let him settle.
The Czech won 6-4, 6-4 overnight in Prague to level the second-round Davis Cup qualifier at 1-1. Shelton, playing the second of the two opening singles rubbers, found no way through a player at home on an indoor court and in front of his own crowd.
The United States had started well. Learner Tien opened the tie with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Jakub Mensik, a clean piece of work against the Czech number two. Lehecka answered it within a couple of hours.
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Three rubbers left
Saturday brings the rest. Christian Harrison and Austin Krajicek take the doubles for the United States against Adam Pavlasek and Patrik Rikl, then the reverse singles follow, Mensik against Shelton and Lehecka against Tien.
That order matters. If the doubles goes the way of the home side, Shelton has to beat Mensik to keep the tie alive, with Lehecka waiting behind him against Tien. If the Americans take the doubles, Tien carries the weight of a possible decider against the man who just dismissed Shelton.
Ties are being played across the world this weekend. Seven teams come out of them and join defending champion Italy at the final stage in Bologna from November 24 to 29.
Elsewhere on Friday
Austria and Belgium also finished level in Vienna. Jurij Rodionov gave the hosts the lead with a 6-4, 6-1 win over Gauthier Onclin, and Zizou Bergs pulled Belgium back with a 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 win over Lukas Neumayer after dropping the opening set.
South Korea did better than level. In Seoul, Soonwoo Kwon came from a set down to beat Dhakshineswar Suresh 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, and Hyeon Chung did the same thing against Sumit Nagal, 2-6, 6-4, 7-5. India trail 2-0 and need to win all three remaining rubbers.
Prague is the tie with the most recognisable names in it, and after one day it is the one hardest to call.
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