Shelton, Fritz, Paul, Harrison to Compete for U.S. Davis Cup Team vs. Czechia Sept. 18-19 in Prague
August 17, 2026
ORLANDO, Fla., August 17, 2026 – The USTA and U.S. Davis Cup Captain Bob Bryan today announced that Ben Shelton, Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul and Christian Harrison have been named to compete for the U.S. in its Davis Cup Qualifying Second Round tie vs. Czechia September 18-19 at the O2 Arena (indoor hard court) in Prague.
The Second Round Qualifying tie is a best-of-five match series that will begin with two singles matches on Friday, September 18, then continue with a doubles match and two more singles matches beginning on Saturday, September 19. The first nation between the USA and Czechia to win three out of those five matches wins the Qualifier and will advance to the eight-nation Davis Cup Final 8 to compete for this year’s championship November 24-29 in Bologna, Italy. Tennis Channel will carry coverage in the U.S.
Captains may name up to five players to their rosters and make up to three combined substitutions / additions up until the day prior to the competition starting.
This tie is a rematch of last year’s Second Round Qualifier, when a strong Czech team led by Jakub Mensik and Jiri Lehecka overcame an injured but resilient American side, 3-2, on home soil in Delray Beach, Fla. Paul and Harrison, along with Ethan Quinn, Austin Krajicek and Emilio Nava, got the U.S. through the first round of Qualifying this year with a 4-0 sweep of Hungary on the road in February.
Shelton, 23, ranked No. 6 in singles, last week won his second consecutive Canada ATP Masters 1000 title. This would mark his second Davis Cup appearance, after debuting in the 2024 Finals. He was nominated to play last year vs. Czechia but had to withdraw due to injury.
Fritz, 28, ranked No. 9 in singles, recently won the Washington, D.C., ATP 500 singles title. He’s played in 11 Davis Cup ties for the U.S. since debuting in 2019 and carries an 8-4 singles record. Fritz went 1-1 in singles in the tie vs. Czechia last year while battling an illness.
Paul, 29, ranked No. 24 in singles, has played in 11 ties for the U.S. since debuting in 2020, carrying a 6-3 singles record. He was also set to play in the tie vs. Czechia last year but was also forced to withdraw due to injury.
Harrison, 32, is the top-ranked American man in doubles at No. 12. He made his Davis Cup debut this February in the Qualifying tie vs. Hungary – a week after winning the Australian Open men’s doubles title – and clinched victory for the Americans with Austin Krajicek.