Off they went, four Americans on a quest for a mythical cup. Last week, defending US national champions Lily Zhang and Kanak Jha arrived in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico for the 2020 ITTF Pan American Cup. They were joined by teammates Wu Yue and Nikhil Kumar. In addition to the lure of prize money and world ranking points, the tournament offers qualification to the women's and men's 2020 World Cups this October to all four finalists. In the first round, Nikhil Kumar's admittedly long shot at World Cup qualification was ended by Horacio Cifuentes of Argentina. Cifuentes' bid was extinguished in turn by defending Pan America Cup champion Hugo Calderano of Brazil. In honor of their fallen comrade, the Team USA contingent soldiered on. In the first round, #2 seed Kanak Jha swept Hector Berrios of the host nation. In the quarterfinals, he faced stiffer competition from Marcos Madrid of Mexico, ultimately prevailing 4-2. Jha next faces Brazil's Gustavo Tsuboi for a place in the finals. Wu Yue (pictured) likewise cruised through her first round matchup, the victim being Canada's Sophie Gauthier. Next, she crossed swords with Paulina Vega of Chile, surrendering but one game in the quarterfinal duel. "I think we have played so many times before, we know each other pretty well," said Wu Yue afterward. "Sometimes it’s a case of I just need to be mentally stronger. She’s left handed so that did cause some problems; the main thing was to make sure my head was right." Wu Yue must now overcome top seed and defending champion Adriana Diaz to reach the finals, all the more formidable due to the latter's spirited support from her home crowd. With the possibility of an all-American final, #2 seed Lily Zhang was in no mood to be left behind. She has been a portrait of ruthless efficiency, surrendering a miserly nine total points in a first-round sweep of Guatemala's Mabelyn Enriquez. In the quarters, she faced Puerto Rico's Melanie Diaz, the younger sister of champion Adriana Diaz. By posting a 4-0 sweep, Lily Zhang risked invoking the ire of not only the local fans but the protective big sister she appears destined to meet in the finals. Of course, Lily Zhang is too experienced to overlook her semifinal opponent Zhang Mo of Canada, a dangerous adversary seeded fourth at the tournament. The rival North American Zhangs have clashed many times over the years, and this semifinal clash has the makings of a classic. Three Americans are now one win away from automatic world cup qualification. Tomorrow will show us who is in, and who is not yet World Cup material.

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