Need to work harder on combination: Ashwini Ponnappa

“We train usually at Hyderabad,but Pradnya has also shown keenness to travel to Bangalore where I am based,so that shows she is willing to take the effort,” she says,of the next few days when they will pick teh brains of Tom John. Jwala was both experienced and canny,and Ashwini has stepped into her shows as the leader of this new pair. “As Pradnya plays more,she’ll gain more

confidence. She’s good at the net,and has good finishing powers,anticipation and alertness,but I’m pushing her to get even better,” Ashwini says.

Accustomed to the left-right combination that worked well for her with Jwala,she needs a bit of getting used to as well alongside right-handed Pradnya. “With Jwala when I covered the far right back court,I knew the entire forecourt was taken care of with Jwala as her forehand was strong up front. Now I’m adjusting to this,” she adds. It helps that while playing mixed doubles alongside Tarun Kona,Ashwini’s own net skills are sharpened,and she can move forward in a circular defense if needed.

While the pair met with some success at the Malaysia Super Series in the last swing of tournaments,they would be keen on going beyond the quarters and pre-quarters,and also scalp a few top pairings. “Top 20 by year-end hopefully,” Ashwini says,though personally she would like to settle into her leadership role with fewer nerves and lesser of the desperate on-court instructioning that can betray a lack of co-ordination. “I try not to scream,but we’re still settling in. It doesn’t happen too often,but even I’m getting used to this role,” she says.

Fitness-wise both are putting in enough yardage,and it is an area where Pradnya can bring in some additional nimbleness,though it’ll be tough to match up to Jwala’s reflexes and acute understanding of the game at the net,so soon in their partnership.

Off-court,it’s generally quieter without Jwala’s chirpier presence,for 23-year-old Pradnya’s the classical mellow introvert. “I still love going out and I try dragging her out sometimes. We watch movies and basically chill in the room when we’re touring,but with her it’s generally quieter,” she laughs. Four years ago,Ashwini,a year older to Pradnya,was the quieter of the gaggle,but having assumed responsibility of her new partnership as the dominant one expected to guide Pradnya along,she’s piping up the big talk,and liking the new echo.