Czech Republic host the US in a Davis Cup World Group tie in Prague, and we've got two singles matches to preview. Both should be close, and the home crowd will make things interesting. Who do you think gives the Czechs the edge?
Davis Cup CZE vs USA Predictions
Jakub Mensik vs Ben Shelton
Head-to-head: Mensik 2-2 Shelton
Four meetings and it's perfectly split, which tells you everything about how these two match up. Shelton has the ranking edge and the bigger game, but Mensik has already shown he can handle him and doing it twice is not a fluke. The Czech crowd will be fully behind Mensik here, and he's been one of the most exciting young players on tour this year.
That said, Shelton at his best on a fast indoor hard court is a serious problem for anyone, and the surface here should suit his serve and flat groundstrokes nicely. I think the tie situation adds pressure to both players, but Shelton has the experience of big matches and the ranking to back it up. Should be a fantastic three-setter.
Prediction: Shelton in 3
Jiri Lehecka vs Learner Tien
Head-to-head: First meeting
Tien has had a remarkable rise this year and the ranking reflects it, but Lehecka is no easy first meeting to have. He's a big server on a fast indoor hard court and he's comfortable in this environment playing for Czech Republic in front of a home crowd. Tien is the higher-ranked player on paper but Lehecka has the conditions and the crowd on his side, and this feels like a match where that matters. All things considered, Lehecka should still find a way to get through here, all things considered.
Lehecka in 3.
Prediction: Lehecka in 3
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