Taylor Fritz moved Team USA one step closer to the Davis Cup Finals with his win over Jakub Mensik.
Following Jiri Lehecka’s win over Frances Tiafoe, the United States found themselves 1-0 down against the Czech team.
Bouncing back, Fritz defeated Mensik in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3, to level things up at 1-1.
Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images for ITF
Fritz produced an impressive display in Delray Beach to take down the teenage star, but didn’t have things all his own way.
During his post-match press conference, Fritz admitted he’s been struggling with a sickness bug at this week’s Davis Cup.
Taylor Fritz says he still doesn’t feel great as he battles illness
Speaking to the media after the match, Fritz shared how he is feeling physically.
“I’m sick. Like, I felt like two of the practices I had in the days leading up kind of didn’t feel right,” he said.
“I felt like I was getting so, just exhausted for no reason. I kind of felt like maybe some sickness was coming on. Two nights ago, I finished a practice with Frances [Tiafoe], and I was driving home, and I started feeling just so, so sick. I was up all night just coughing, sore throat, all that normal stuff.
“I woke up yesterday morning, just, I felt so bad. It was just like yesterday was kind of that peak day of the sickness, where it’s the worst.
“I still don’t feel great, but today, compared to where I was at yesterday, I’m a lot better today, for sure.”
Fighting through illness to pick up a vital win for Team USA, Fritz will now look to recover ahead of his next match.
Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images for ITF
“I need to get a good night’s sleep. I need to do what I’m doing. Like I said, I felt better, felt a little better today, and will hopefully feel a little better tomorrow. I just need to get some good sleep and a good meal in and kind of just go through my pre-match routines,” he said.
“Just kind of do what I have been doing the last three or four days. A lot of fluids, a lot of Vitamin C, and trying to sleep as much as possible.
“It’s tough. I haven’t really left my bed much the last two days. You know, like I said, yesterday was really the worst, and today is a little better.
“That’s normally how it goes when I do get sick. I hit that one day where it’s the worst, and then every day after that I just get a little bit better.”
Fritz deserves a lot of credit for his resilience, something his Davis Cup captain was more than happy to give him.
Bob Bryan was ‘blown away’ by Taylor Fritz’s performance
Joining Fritz in the press conference, Team USA captain Bob Bryan had this to say about the world number five.
“Really impressed with how Taylor [Fritz] fought today. He’s been a little under the weather, as you guys can see. You know, he was laser-focused, and his game really was there tonight for us,” he said.
“Going in when I woke up this morning, I didn’t know if Taylor would be available to his team, and obviously, I was excited to hear the news that he was turning the corner with his sickness and he was going to be able to go out there and compete.
Photo by Zhe Ji/Getty Images for ITF
“I was blown away by the effort Taylor put in tonight. Sometimes when you’re not feeling your best, you kind of just focus on the present and take one point at a time and just… Taylor, I don’t think he knew how long he could be out there, so it was key that he closed the door there in the second set.
“We were all surprised and impressed by the effort. Truly blown away.”
Getting the job done, Fritz leveled the tie at 1-1, with three matches still to play on day two.
USA vs Czechia Friday, September 121. Jiri Lehecka defeated Frances Tiafoe (Czechia 1-0 USA)2. Taylor Fritz defeated Jakub Mensik (Czechia 1-1 USA)Saturday, September 133. Austin Krajicek/Rajeev Ram vs Tomas Machac/Adam Pavlasek4. Taylor Fritz vs Jiri Lehecka5. Frances Tiafoe vs Jakub Mensik
Only time will tell who will emerge victorious, but you certainly won’t want to miss any of the action when Team USA and Team Czechia battle it out for a place in the Davis Cup Finals on Saturday, September 13.