Jakub Mensik finishes off Czech comeback against the United States in Davis Cup

The United States' quest for another Davis Cup title will have to wait.

For the third consecutive year, Czechia punched its ticket to the Final 8—this time, with a stirring comeback against the Americans at the Delray Beach Tennis Center.

The two countries entered play on Saturday even at 1-1, and the day began with a mammoth doubles victory by Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram—one that was delayed over two hours by rain—that put the home team on the precipice of qualification. But Jiri Lehecka and Jakub Mensik had other ideas from that point, with the two big servers combining to defeat Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe to push the visitors onward.

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Lehecka came into the fourth match of the tie having lost four prior meetings with Fritz, including a three-tiebreak affair in Toronto just last month. But he got off to a strong start by winning the first set, and created 17 break points against Fritz's serve in the 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 win.

"I'm tired of this guy," joked Lehecka after breaking for victory in just under two-and-a-half hours. "We always have such a battle."

Miami Open champion Mensik then took the court against Tiafoe, who was hoping to score just a second win in eight Davis Cup singles matches. Instead, though, it was the 20-year-old who earned his fourth, shaking off any lingering disappointment from the defeat he suffered with Tomas Machac to Krajicek and Ram from earlier in the day.

The first set between Mensik and Tiafoe lasted under a half hour, with the world No. 17 winning the first 12 points of the tilt. Down a set and a break at 6-1, 1-0, Tiafoe found some life, and stayed ahead for much of the second set after breaking served for 1-1. But Mensik had the final word, and won the last three games.