Americans Break Through as Americas Cup Quarterfinals Take Shape
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by Joshua Dyke
Sally Moyland makes it through to the women's singles quarterfinals at the 2026 ITTF Americas Cup. 888 Table Tennis Center. Burlingame, Calif. Jan. 30, 2026. (Photo by ITTF Americas)
Burlingame, Calif. - The 2026 ITTF Americas Cup quarterfinals have been determined, with six Americans going to the quarterfinals in singles.
In the women's singles, multiple Americans advanced, extending their excellent performance across both draws. Sally Moyland advanced via a head-to-head match with Chile's Daniela Ortega. What began as an even fight quickly swung in Moyland's advantage as she took control and sealed the victory.
Moyland now faces a massive obstacle in the quarterfinals against Bruna Takahashi of Brazil in a best-of-seven match. Takahashi, a three-time Olympian and current world No. 20, won their only previous meeting last May at the 2025 ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals in Doha.
"I played [Takahashi] in Doha, which was last year’s World Championships last year and lost. So, I'm really grateful that I get another chance if I get another chance to go after a win against Bruna,” said Moyland after the win.
Lily Zhang also sprinted into the quarterfinals with a win over Puerto Rico's Alondra Rodriguez in four games (11-5, 11-6, 11-6, 11-7). Zhang will next face Chile's Paulina Vega, putting her just two matches away from the final and a possible repeat trip to the finals.
Amy Wang rounded out the American women in the quarterfinals, defeating Karina Shiray in four games to face Brianna Burgos of Puerto Rico. The competition will be a rematch of last year's Americas Cup quarterfinals. Wang, the 2024 Pan American Games gold medalist and a semifinalist at the 2025 World Cup in Macao, is still a genuine title challenger in the Pan American region thanks to her consistency and big-match experience.
On the men's side, Nikhil Kumar pulled off one of the tournament's biggest upsets, defeating Nicolas Burgos of Puerto Rico in six games, 4-2 (11-3, 8-11, 11-6, 5-11, 15-13, 11-2). Kumar made his deepest run at an Americas Cup, finding his flow through four preliminary matches and returning to form at a vital time.
His reward, however, is one of the most difficult tasks of his career: a quarterfinal match against Brazilian superstar Hugo Calderano, the world's No. 3.
“I think there’s not much pressure for me,” Kumar said. “Just kind of play, swing away, see what happens. If I can start strong and maybe win one of the first two sets, I could put a little pressure on him. I’m going to give it my best no matter what and keep fighting.”
Calderano begins the men's singles competition as the clear favorite. He remains one of the most powerful forces in world table tennis, and three time Olympian and the most recent Pan American Championships. The way the players approach a of his caliber will be one of the tournament's most interesting storylines to watch.
Kanak Jha also advanced to the quarterfinals, defeating Teodoro Guilherme 4-1 (11-2, 11-5, 7-11, 11-7, 11-8). Jha will face Angel Naranjo in the following round.
Jha, the most decorated and highest-ranked American in the field (world No. 21), appears to be on a collision course with Calderano if he continues his run. The two last met in October at the WTT Champions Montpellier 2025, with Jha winning a memorable Round of 32.
Sid Naresh completed the American men's quarterfinal lineup, defeating Tyrese Knight of Barbados in straight games to face Horacio Cifuentes of Argentina. Cifuentes holds the head-to-head advantage, having defeated Naresh in their only previous match at the 2025 Pan American Championships in Rock Hill, when Argentina won teams gold.
The ITTF Americas Cup quarterfinals will take place live at 11:00 a.m. Pacific, on Saturday, January 31, 2026 from the 888 Table Tennis Center.
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