Alcaraz helps Spain to win over Czechia

Carlos Alcaraz and Tomas Machac were locked at a set a piece Wednesday when the 23-year-old from the Czech Republic was forced to retire due to cramps in the Davis Cup Finals Group Stage clash. Roberto Bautista Agut won the opening singles match against Jiri Lehecka 7-6(1), 6-4, ensuring that Spain would later secure a 2-0 win against the Czech Republic in Group B action.

Alcaraz dropped the opening set 6-7(3), but fought back to level the match with a convincing 6-1 second set. Machac retired in the opening game of the deciding set after one hour, 38 minutes of play in Valencia. When Machac could not continue, he hunched over his knees and struggled to walk towards the net. Alcaraz warmly embraced his opponent.

"I think after a really difficult and tough first set, I knew that I had to stay tough, stay positive and play long rallies," Alcaraz said. "I think he played more matches in the American swing. He played tough matches in New York. Then coming here, different conditions, different everything. It's difficult to get used to."

That touch though ?@DavisCup | #DavisCup | @carlosalcaraz

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The World No. 3 in the PIF ATP Rankings dropped just four points behind his first serve and produced superb all-court coverage throughout his first match since falling in the US Open second round. Machac enjoyed a career-best Slam result at Flushing Meadows, where he reached the fourth round before falling to eventual semi-finalist Jack Draper.

Alcaraz, 21, is competing in Davis Cup for the first time since September 2022. He will later partner Marcel Granollers to go against Jakub Mensik and Adam Pavlasek.

"It's a special feeling for me playing here in Valencia, Davis Cup. I missed last year," Alcaraz said. "This year, I'm really excited about it."

Spain's next tie will be against France on Friday. Czechia meets Australia on Thursday.

In Group A action, Italy's Matteo Berrettini and Matteo Arnaldi helped their home country defeat Brazil 2-0. Berrettini ousted #NextGenATP 18-year-old Joao Fonseca 6-1, 7-6(5), during which the Italian rallied from 0/4 in the second-set tie-break to avoid a decider.

Arnaldi, 23, escaped a thrilling three-hour, 39-minute battle against Thiago Monteiro 7-5, 6-7(4), 7-6(5). The World No. 33 overcame a late scare in the third-set tie-break, when he slipped and fell at the back of the court. But Arnaldi shook off the pain and continued his charge to victory.

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