Ben Shelton’s return to action after reaching the U.S. Open final ended in defeat on Friday as the United States split the opening two singles matches with the Czech Republic in Davis Cup qualifying in Prague.
Jiri Lehecka beat Shelton 6-4, 6-4 in one hour and 34 minutes to level the tie after American Learner Tien defeated Jakub Mensik 6-2, 6-4 in the opening singles rubber.
The tie will conclude on Saturday with three matches. Christian Harrison and Austin Krajicek will face Adam Pavlasek and Patrik Rikl in the doubles before Mensik takes on Shelton and Lehecka faces Tien in the reverse singles.
Davis Cup ties are being contested around the world this weekend to determine the seven teams that will join defending champions Italy in the finals in Bologna from Nov. 24-29.
In Quebec City, Canada took a 2-0 lead over France after Liam Draxl, ranked 205th in the world, upset 32nd-ranked Arthur Rinderknech 6-2, 7-5. Felix Auger-Aliassime then beat Quentin Halys 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-3.
Austria and Belgium were level at 1-1 in Vienna. Austria took the lead when Jurij Rodionov defeated Gauthier Onclin 6-4, 6-1, but Zizou Bergs brought Belgium level with a 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 win over Lukas Neumayer.
South Korea took a 2-0 lead over India in Seoul after Soonwoo Kwon recovered to beat Dhakshineswar Suresh 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, while Hyeon Chung defeated Sumit Nagal 2-6, 6-4, 7-5.
