U.S. Pulls France and India in Knockouts

The draws are set for the U.S. in the knockout stages, with the men facing France first and the women taking on India the following day.

With matches set, play begins. The U.S. men, led by Kanak Jha, Jishan Liang and Nandan Naresh, will challenge Félix Lebrun and France in the second stage.

In the Round of 32, the men’s team is scheduled to play France today at 12:00 p.m. ET / 9:00 a.m. PST on Table 1 – Watch Live.

Jha and the Americans face a formidable obstacle in one of Europe’s current powerhouses. The two sides last met at the Mixed Team World Cup Chengdu 2024, where France held the edge.

The U.S. will need consistent performances across all matches to overcome France’s depth. Still, the Americans have proven capable of competing at this level when they execute. With Jha expected to set the tone, the team will look to build momentum.

A win here would push the U.S. men further into the tournament and reinforce their growing presence on the world stage.

On the women’s side, Lily Zhang and the young women’s team are set to face India tomorrow on May 5. The match begins at 2:30 p.m. EST / 11:30 a.m. PT on Table 3 – Watch Live.

For the women, the matchup against India presents a different kind of test, despite the U.S. holding the advantage in recent meetings between the two teams.

India brings a dynamic squad capable of shifting momentum quickly. Players like Manika Batra have proven they can trouble top opponents, meaning the Americans will need to stay sharp from the opening serve.

Zhang’s leadership will be key, as her experience on the world stage provides stability for a relatively young roster. If the U.S. can control the pace early and execute, they’ll be in a strong position to continue their run.

Every match carries more weight with both teams entering the knockout stages. For the U.S., it’s a chance to prove itself against top international competition and push deeper into the tournament.