In a crucial Davis Cup quarter-final match, Alex de Minaur of Australia defeated Jiri Lehecka of Czech Republic 4-6 7-6(2) 7-5, leveling the tie at 1-1. The Czechs had initially taken the lead with Tomas Machac beating Jordan Thompson 6-4 7-5. However, Australia fought back to set up a doubles decider.
There was little to separate the hard-hitting pair in the second set up to 4-4, with Machac ultimately sealing the victory with a forehand winner. Australia, missing Thanasi Kokkinakis due to an ankle injury, are looking to capture their 29th Davis Cup title, while the Czech Republic aims for its first win over Australia since 1975.
Despite a strong start from Lehecka, De Minaur’s late charge in the tiebreak shifted the momentum in his favor. The 22-year-old Lehecka regrouped in the decider, but De Minaur prevailed in the end.
The decider will see Lehecka and Adam Pavlasek facing Australia’s Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell.