Jiri Lehecka guided Czech Republic to victory in its opening Group C tie against Spain on Wednesday in the Davis Cup Finals Group Stage.
The 2022 Next Gen ATP Finals runner-up earned a 7-6(5), 7-5 win against Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in Valencia to give his nation an unassailable 2-0 lead. Lehecka struck the ball fearlessly throughout the one-hour, 55-minute clash, firing 25 winners to improve to 2-0 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series against Davidovich Fokina.
Earlier, Tomas Machac had moved Czech Republic ahead when he beat Bernabe Zapata Miralles 6-4, 6-4 in one hour and 35 minutes. The World No. 119 has now won five of the six Davis Cup singles matches he has played.
Czech Republic, a three-time champion, is aiming to reach the Final 8 for the first time since 2016.
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United States & Croatia Level
In Group D action, The United States and Croatia are level at 1-1, with a doubles rubber set to decide the tie.
American Mackenzie McDonald had given his country an early lead when he defeated Dino Prizmic 6-4, 6-2 in one hour and 37 minutes.
Croatian Borna Gojo then levelled the tie, earning the biggest win of his career by Pepperstone ATP Ranking when he overcame World No. 11 Frances Tiafoe 6-4, 7-6(6). Gojo has been in red-hot form recently, advancing to the fourth round at a major for the first time at the US Open.
Croatia is aiming to reach the quarter-finals in the Davis Cup for the third consecutive year. The United States is chasing its first Davis Cup Finals title since 2007, when it won its 32nd.
Sixteen countries will compete across four groups in four cities — Group A in Bologna, Group B in Manchester, Group C in Valencia and Group D in Split — with the top two countries per group to qualify for the knockout stage in two months.