Moyland Leads U.S. Into Round of 16 With 3–1 Win Over India
Share:
by Joshua Dyke
Teams: Sally Moyland secures two wins against India in the Women's Teams Round of 32. ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships, OVO Wembley Arena, London, England. May 5, 2026. (Photo by ITTF/WTT)
The United States women’s team has secured a 3-1 victory over India behind the extraordinary efforts of Sally Moyland.
In the first knockout matchup for the team, she led the way for the American squad, winning two matches to seal the team's advancement into the top 16.
Moyland set the tone early against Yashaswini Ghorpade in the opening match. Most of their points were sorted out in the short game, but there were moments when Ghorpade was consistent in moving Moyland from corner to corner. Largely unaffected, she consistently tracked down wide shots and kept rallies under control. Moyland capitalized with her forehand to dispatch Ghorpade 3-0 (11-8, 11-8, 11-7).
Sally did more than just open the match with India. She closed it.
She clinched the final win over Manika Batra in Match 4. Remaining patient, tied at a game each, Moyland familiarized herself and adjusted to Batra’s long pips. That’s when she caught her stride. Leaning on her backhand in this match, she pulled away in game three. In the fourth game, she mounted an impressive comeback, flipping 6–10 to 13-11 to seal the match 3-1 (10-12, 11-9, 11-3, 13-11) for the United States.
"Fluctuating throughout a match is almost inevitable. I did my best to control the rhythm and slow down when I started trailing in the fourth. I didn’t feel much in the moment as I was really focused. Just concentrating on my game helped ease the nerves and pressure the scores brought," said Sally Moyland.
In match 2, Batra and Jessica Reyes Lai were also knotted up in the first two games, but Batra found her rhythm. The long-pip specialist’s tactical prowess was revealed as she attacked the body of Reyes-Lai and forced her into errors to take the match.
3 photos
“I’m really proud of the team. Regardless of results, I think what’s most important is that we really stuck together and supported each other through the tough moments. It’s a great win for our morale and keeps motivating us to go further in the tournament.” — Lily Zhang, U.S. Women’s Team
Zhang put the U.S. in position to close out India by defeating Diya Chitale 3-0 (11-8, 11-7, 13-11). Zhang was in complete control, able to extend rallies in her favor to avoid Chitale’s strong forehand. “I worked hard to keep her guessing and move her around the table in unpredictable ways,” said Zhang. The tireless effort paid off as she set up her backhand to score point after point to complete the sweep.
Upon advancing to the round of 16, the focus quickly shifts to the next challenge for the U.S. women’s table tennis team. Tomorrow’s matchup is against Ukraine, featuring Margaryta Pesotska, Veronika Matiunina, Anastasiya Dymytrenko, and Tetyana Bilenko.
The United States will take on Ukraine at 12:00 p.m. ET / 9:00 a.m. PT on Table 2 – Watch Live.
The U.S. may have the slight edge on paper, but the Ukrainian roster is balanced with no big drop-offs in talent. If the U.S. can start fast and stay aggressive on third-ball attacks, they have a chance to break into the top 8.
UPDATE: This story was updated at 9:31 a.m. ET following postgame comments from Sally Moyland in London.
