BENGALURU: Indians were never known to be strong in doubles in badminton. But when Ashwini Ponnappa and Jwala Gutta began to take the world by storm, it seemed like a new beginning, and a welcome one at that. The duo won medals at the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and Uber Cup. But the icing on the cake was the bronze medal at the 2011 World Championships.
However, the duo parted ways for various reasons. Ashwini has now teamed up with Sikki Reddy, and the duo is beginning to blossom. The combination, currently 28th in the world, were runners-up at the Syed Modi International this year, and also the Welsh International late last year. Ashwini was also runner-up in mixed doubles in the former event, partnering Sumeeth Reddy.
“The partnership with Sikki has been good. It’s been just a couple of months, but the start to the year was good (Syed Modi),” Ashwini said. “It’s different because Sikki and I have a similar game. We both like playing at the back of the court. But we worked out who should play at the net and who at the back. The good thing is that she has played mixed doubles as well, and done well. Our confidence has also improved,” she added.
“The fact that I play mixed doubles as well is a confidence-booster. I’ve been training for mixed doubles over the last couple of months, and can see the difference it has made to my doubles game.”
Any new combination takes time, as the two need to understand each other’s game and adapt on court. “Of late, we’ve been trying something new in tournaments. We tried playing the way Jwala and I used to play. She and Pranaav (Jerry Chopra) have also done well. We’ve tried different ways to rotate, which has helped in moving up and down the court. We’ve realised what works for us in terms of rotation, but have to fine-tune it,” she explained.
The 27-year-old also stressed on the importance of sticking to one partner. “It’s better to stick to one partner. If you keep switching, you’ve to start from scratch, and it gets difficult. But it’s nice to have a coach (Indian doubles coach Tan Kim Her) who wants us to do well, and wants what’s best for the Indian team, and I trust him.”
It has been tough in international tournaments, but they are making progress. “People may say that we lose in the first or second round, but matches have been good. In Malaysia, we lost to the Olympic gold medallists despite leading. In the next tournament, we pulled a game from them, and that’s progress. These are the things that give confidence,” Ashwini stated.
The World Championships are the target for the duo. But first, they are aiming for a good show in the Sudirman Cup, Indonesian Open, Australian Open and the Commonwealth Games. “I hope we reach the quarterfinals and semifinals in Super Series events as well,” she concluded.
Ashwini and Sikki in 2017
Malaysia Masters: Conceded walkover to Yea Ching Goh and Khe Wei Woon (MAS, R32)
Syed Modi International: Lost to Kamilla Rytter Juhl and Christinna Pedersen (DEN) 16-21, 18-21 (final)
Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championships: Lost to Jongkolphan Kititharakul and Rawinda Prajongjai (THA) 13-21, 19-21 (group stage elimination)
All England Open: Lost to Nadia Fankhauser (SUI) and Sannatasah Saniru (MAS) 15-21, 21-18, 18-21 (qualifiers QF)
India Open: Lost to Puttita Supajirakul and Sapsiree Taerattanachai (THA) 15-21, 10-21 (R16)
Malaysia Open: Lost to Misaki Matsutomo and Ayaka Takahashi (JPN) 19-21, 15-21 (R32)
Singapore Open: Lost to Misaki and Ayaka 11-21, 21-19, 12-21 (R16)
Badminton Asia Championships: Lost to Chae Yoo Jung and Kim So Yeong (KOR) 20-22, 16-21 (R32)
vivekphadnis@newindianexpress.com