The United States will compete against Czechia in this week’s Davis Cup qualifying tie in Prague with a revised lineup. Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul have both withdrawn, leaving Ben Shelton to lead the American team at the O2 Arena on September 18-19.
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This change follows Shelton's impressive performance at the U.S. Open, where he reached his first Grand Slam final. Rather than taking a break after his four-set loss to Alexander Zverev, Shelton is heading directly to Europe to represent the U.S.
Joining Shelton on the team are Learner Tien, Martin Damm Jr., Christian Harrison, and Austin Krajicek. Fritz, originally a key player for Captain Bob Bryan, had been selected after winning the ATP 500 event in Washington, D.C., and held an 8-4 record in Davis Cup play. His departure leaves Shelton as the highest-ranked American available. Paul had previously withdrawn from the Laver Cup due to injury, which also affected his availability for this tie.
Shelton now carries the team's hopes as he enters his second Davis Cup appearance, having previously played in the 2024 Finals. The American faces a formidable challenge, with the pressure of team competition differing from individual events.
Learner Tien, 20, will make his Davis Cup debut after a standout season, including a fourth-round finish at the U.S. Open, elevating him to No. 13 in the rankings. Martin Damm Jr., a 6-foot-8 left-hander ranked No. 104, will also debut, known for his powerful serve and aggressive style.
Czechia, captained by Tomas Berdych, boasts a strong lineup including Jiří Lehečka, Jakub Menšík, Vít Kopřiva, and doubles specialist Adam Pavlásek, replacing Tomáš Macháč who withdrew. The Czech team is familiar with success, having previously defeated the U.S. 3-2 in the 2025 qualifying round.
The outcome of this tie is significant, with the winner advancing to the eight-nation Davis Cup Final 8 in Bologna, Italy, scheduled for November 24-29. The competition format includes two singles matches on Friday, followed by doubles and two more singles matches on Saturday, with the first nation to win three matches progressing.
With the Americans adapting to sudden changes and facing a strong Czech team at home, the upcoming Davis Cup tie promises to be a challenging yet exciting contest.