USATT News

Americans Take Aim at WTT Star Contender São José dos Campos

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by Joshua Dyke | USA Table Tennis

Kanak Jha receives the ball for a serve against Truls Moregard (SWE) in the men’s singles Round of 16 in Maverick Arena at U.S. Smash 2026. Ontario, Calif. July 3, 2026. (Photo by WTT)

Kanak Jha receives the ball for a serve against Truls Moregard (SWE) in the men’s singles Round of 16 in Maverick Arena at U.S. Smash 2026. Ontario, Calif. July 3, 2026. (Photo by WTT)

Fresh off the 2026 U.S. Smash, the U.S. National Team travels to Brazil to compete at WTT Star Contender São José dos Campos from July 21–26.

The Americans will compete across men's and women's singles, and men's doubles against one of the strongest international fields of the summer.

With 600 ranking points available to the champion, a deep run could significantly improve the Americans' positions ahead of WTT Champions Yokohama in August.

Kanak Jha, Nandan Naresh and Sid Naresh will represent the United States in the men's events, while Lily Zhang will compete in women's singles.

Jha enters Brazil ranked No. 21 in the world after reaching the Round of 16 at U.S. Smash and capturing a record-extending seventh U.S. national singles title earlier this month.

He’ll be seeded into the main draw in men’s singles and partner England's Tom Jarvis in the men's doubles draw.

Ranked No. 153 in the world, Nandan Naresh earned direct entry into the singles main draw in his third tournament above the WTT Feeder level.

Naresh, 19, joins elder brother Sid Naresh, 22, as the brothers team up again in men’s doubles.


Lily Zhang returns a shot from Jia Nan Yuan (FRA) during the women’s singles Round of 32 at U.S. Smash 2026. Ontario, Calif. July 3, 2026. (Photo by WTT)
Lily Zhang returns a shot from Jia Nan Yuan (FRA) during the women’s singles Round of 32 at U.S. Smash 2026. Ontario, Calif. July 3, 2026. (Photo by WTT)

Lily Zhang, ranked No. 42 in the world, will carry the U.S. banner in the women's singles main draw.

At U.S. Smash, Zhang earned a notable victory over World No. 26 Jia Nan Yuan. She'll look to carry that form into São José dos Campos as the Americans continue building toward WTT Champions Yokohama.