(by Steve Hopkins)
Qualifications started on October 1, and the Main Draw saw its first action today at the China Smash 2026 in Beijing, China. American’s Kanak Jha, Lily Zhang and Amy Wang were each seeded into the Main Draw. Others fought starting on Thursday in the Qualifying Rounds. One of those in the qualifiers, Sally Moyland, had an solid win over Xia Lian Ni. Moyland went on to lose 3-2 (13-11 in the fifth) to Zauresh Akasheva of Kazakhstan. USA’s Jessica Reyes Lai fell to France’s Audrey Zarif in their qualification match. Puerto Rico’s Brianna Burgos met a similar fate, falling 0-3 to Tee Ai Xin of Malaysia.
Amy Wang and Lily Zhang were the only American women to reach the Round of 64. Lily Zhang will face Honoka Hashimoto on Monday evening. Lily Zhang had a tough draw – matching up against World No. 1 Wang Manyu. Manyu won 3-0 on Sunday evening and will face India’s Manika Batra in the Round of 32. Canada’s Mo Zhang has yet to play – she’ll face Hitomi Sato on Monday afternoon. Puerto Rico’s Adriana Diaz will face Satsuki Odo on Monday afternoon.
A pair of French players, a pair of Swedes, a pair of Germans, three Koreans, and three Chinese make up most of the 14 players who have advanced so far in Men’s Singles. Most of the first round matches have yet to be played and that includes USA’s Kanak Jha who will face second seeded Sora Matsushima on Monday afternoon.
Check back as we will keep you updated on the elimination rounds in Singles as well as Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles, and Mixed Doubles.
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