USA Opens with Walkovers, Defeats Malaysia 3-1 at World Table Tennis Championships
Share:
by Joshua Dyke
Teams: Sally Moyland takes two wins against Malaysia in Women’s Teams at the ITTF World Table Tennis Teams Championships London 2026. Copper Box Arena, London, England. Apr. 29, 2026. (Photo by WTT/ITTF)
It was an unusual start for the United States at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships in London, as both the men’s and women’s teams were awarded opening match victories without playing a single point.
Côte d’Ivoire (Men’s Group 14) and Namibia (Women’s Group 12) were unable to appear at Copper Box Arena in time for their matches, resulting in forfeits after travel constraints prevented their arrival.
“Although we didn’t get a chance to play today, I think it will make them even more hungry and focused for our important match against Singapore tomorrow.” — Mark Hazinski, U.S. Men’s National Team Coach.
Kanak Jha and the U.S. Men’s team are scheduled to go against Izaac Quek and Singapore tomorrow morning, April 30 at 5:00 a.m. ET / 2:00 a.m. PT – Watch Live.
With both U.S. teams eager to get to the table and play their first point, they led their groups heading into the evening sessions.
The women came ready to play on the second day of competition.
After early fits from chopper Li Sian Chang, it was three up and three down for the U.S. Women’s Team. They swiftly dismantled Malaysia 3-1 behind dominant finishes from Lily Zhang and Sally Moyland.
Short game, long game, forehand, backhand, service, receive; Zhang and Moyland were too much for the Malaysian women to handle. The match finished at 0-3, 3-1, 3-0 and 3-1 against Li Sian Chang, Ai Xin Tee and Karen Lyne.
The U.S. Women move forward to play the Dominican Republic starring Eva Brito, Yasiris Ortiz and Esmerlyn Castro on Friday, May 1 at 7:30 a.m. ET / 4:30 a.m. PT – Watch Live. It’s their final group stage match with a chance to break into the main draw at World Teams.
