Czechs beat USA to qualify for Davis Cup finals

PARIS, France —  Jiri Lehecka downed Learner Tien in a deciding rubber Saturday as the Czech Republic stunned the United States 3-2 in Davis Cup qualifying for a second straight year, while South Korea reached the last eight for the first time. The Czechs knocked out the Americans at the same second qualifying round stage in a decider at Delray Beach a year ago, when Jakub Mensik beat Frances Tiafoe to secure a surprise victory. Tomas Berdych's men repeated the feat in similarly dramatic fashion, to the delight of a raucous home crowd in Prague, as Lehecka clinched a 6-3, 7-5 win over world number 13 Tien. The USA are record 32-time winners of the competition but their wait for a first title since 2007 goes on. The Czechs advance to the November eight-team finals in Bologna, where hosts Italy will bid for a fourth straight title. "The wins in Davis Cup are always a little bit different because this is a team competition," said Lehecka. After starting the day locked at 1-1, the USA nudged ahead as Christian Harrison and Austin Krajicek saved four match points to outlast Adam Pavlasek and Patrik Rikl in a thrilling 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 (10/8) win. Mensik then fought back from a...