Three Florida standouts will represent the United States on the international stage next month as Ben Shelton and Christian Harrison have been named to the U.S. Davis Cup Team for its Second Round Qualifying tie against Czechia, September 18-19 at the O2 Arena in Prague.
Shelton and Harrison join Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul on the roster announced by the USTA and U.S. Davis Cup Captain Bob Bryan, who also is a Florida native.
Shelton has been on a tear. The Florida star, currently ranked No. 6 in singles, captured his second consecutive Canada ATP Masters 1000 title last week. The Davis Cup will mark just his second appearance for the U.S. team after debuting in the 2024 Finals. Shelton was nominated to compete in last year’s tie against Czechia but was forced to withdraw due to injury, making this an opportunity for redemption on one of tennis’ biggest team stages.
Harrison, 32, enters as the top-ranked American man in doubles at No. 12. The Florida resident, who trains at IMG Academy in Bradenton, made his Davis Cup debut this February in the Qualifying match against Hungary, just one week after winning the Australian Open men’s doubles title. Harrison clinched victory for the Americans, alongside Florida partner Austin Krajicek.
The Second Round Qualifying tie is a best-of-five match series, beginning with two singles matches on Friday, September 18, followed by a doubles match and two more singles matches on Saturday, September 19. The first nation to win three of the five matches advances to the eight-nation Davis Cup Final 8, set for November 24-29 in Bologna, Italy. Tennis Channel will carry coverage in the U.S.
The matchup is a rematch of last year’s Second Round Qualifier, when Czechia, led by Jakub Mensik and Jiri Lehecka, edged an American side 3-2 on home soil in Delray Beach. Paul and Harrison, along with Ethan Quinn, Krajicek and Emilio Nava, helped the U.S. advance through the first round of Qualifying this year with a 4-0 sweep of Hungary on the road in February.
Florida’s presence on the Davis Cup roster is another reminder of the state’s role as a hub for elite tennis talent. Shelton and Harrison will look to help bring the United States one step closer to a Davis Cup title.
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