Ace shuttler Ashwini Ponnappa has been a force to reckon with in doubles. Now, she wants to try her hand in singles. The 24-year-old will participate in the singles category at the all-India ranking tournament in Bangalore next week.

“I’d like to give a shot at singles,” Ponnappa told dna in Panvel, where she attended Alegria, a college fest organised by Pillai Group of Institutions, on Tuesday.

“I love doubles. But I’d like to play singles. I stopped playing singles because of circumstances. I feel I don’t want to sit around but play singles in national circuit and have fun. Singles is easier and I don’t have to worry about. However, I am not sure whether I would take it seriously but I would certainly like to win some titles so that it will help my confidence,” she said.

“Incidentally, I will be playing singles next week since Jwala is not taking part in the tournament. This gives me a chance to explore. Anyway, I don’t have anything to lose,” Ponnappa added.

This year will see two of the biggest events — Commonwealth Games and Asian Games – and Ponnappa has set her eyes on both. “Jwala and I will be looking to defend the CWG title. Every tournament is important and we take it as a preparation. The more we play, the better we get. Asian Games, on the other hand, is neither going to be easy nor difficult. We have beaten Asian players and aim to do well in that competition as well,” added Ponnappa.

Ponnappa, who was partnerinig Pradnya Gadre during the time Gutta was away from the sport for a while, is back with her old partner. “We needed that break. Jwala has been playing for long and she needed a break, especially after she went through a lot. However, we are back now with better understanding, respect and a lot more hungry,” she said.
“It is important to get along off the court. We have to understand each other and have to be friendly, otherwise you can’t expect magic to happen on court. We are pretty good friends off the court. With both of us having different characteristics, it creates a kind of balance,” she said.

“The controversies (surrounding Gutta) affect us, especially what happened post Indian Badminton League. But, when we get on court, we leave everything aside.”

With the new leagues coming in every sport, Ponnappa believed they will develop a sporting culture in India. “These leagues give a bigger platform for sports. If you are passionate, you can use these platforms to prove yourself. It also helps one to earn money and play some quality matches. It is a really nice concept as you get to travel, be part of a team, compete with your friends and doing well for your teams,” she said.

source: http://www.dnaindia.com / DNA / Home> Sport / by Taus Rizvi, Place: Mumbai, Agency:DNA / Tuesday – January 28th, 2014

At 28, many may believe that Robin Uthappa’s best days are well behind him. Uthappa differs; he strongly believes that he is just a few good knocks away from making it back to the Indian team. The swashbuckling batsman played his 38th one-day international in July 2008. A comeback six years on would beggar belief, but then, Uthappa’s conviction is unwavering.

While the thought of making it back to the pinnacle of cricket is constantly on Uthappa’s mind, he has for the time being put those thoughts on the backburner to focus on an equally worthy goal. Leaner and fitter, Uthappa is focused on ensuring Karnataka returns home with the Ranji Trophy. They take on Maharashtra in the final starting in Hyderabad on Wednesday.

In the 2009-10 season, an Uthappa-led side slumped to a heartbreaking six-run defeat against Mumbai and since then, Karnataka hasn’t come close to winning the Trophy, until now. Uthappa is convinced his team is ready for coronation.

“I’m looking forward to the final and it is going to be exciting,” Uthappa said. “A lot of us believe we are going to win this tournament. It is a huge belief that is going around in the team, simply because we are having so much of fun together. I can’t think of a guy who hasn’t performed when given the opportunity this season. The players are literally having dreams that we are going to win this tournament. That happens when it’s a happy group without any inhibitions. And that’s the unit we have today.”

The players, Uthappa said, are determined to get it right this time. “That defeat in the final still pinches,” he admitted. “In the last four years, what has happened is that we have progressed to the knockout stages and then one department fails to fire. That batch has stuck together and has gone through the rigour. When I look back I think the past years was a process when everybody went through their ups and downs and its culminated beautifully at this stage.”

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Sports> Cricket> DC / by Manju Veerappa / January 28th, 2014

He may have reached world No. 3 in doubles and made a fabulous start to the season with a fine run at the Australian Open, but Rohan Bopanna was the first to reach Indore on Sunday for the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group I tie.

“It is great to be back in the team. I always like to come on Sunday or Monday, in case I play a final. We play Davis Cup only two or three weeks in a year. It is unique and special. We need to prepare well the whole week.

“I don’t take my spot for granted. We have a lot of young boys and the camaraderie is great. It is nice to prepare early with them and I am happy to be here,” said the 33-year-old, who is the seniormost member of the Indian squad, after a training session on Monday.

Though Chinese Taipei would be without its two leading players — Yen-Hsun Lu and Jimmy Wang — Bopanna said it was important to stay focused and get the job done on court, despite being the favourite for the tie.

“We have proved it many times, and many other teams have done so. The rankings do not matter in the Davis Cup. We cannot afford to take anything for granted. It is great that we have seven players here and the youngsters will benefit from the experience.

“When I came into the team in 2002, I was raw. I have matured over the years and look forward to sharing my experience and motivating the others,” said Bopanna.

Having started as a singles specialist in the team, after waiting for his turn, Bopanna was soon given the responsibility to play both singles and doubles. Now, he may have to focus only on doubles against Taipei.

“I play only doubles on the professional circuit and it suits me to play only doubles here. But, I will be ready to play a singles rubber if the situation demands. Playing at a high level in doubles had helped my singles game.

“Though it is just one point out of five, doubles is very important in the Davis Cup and often proves decisive. I look forward to bringing my experience and helping my partner stay relaxed, confident and play at his best,” said Bopanna.

With Somdev Devvarman and Yuki Bhambri being strong candidates for the singles matches, Saketh Myneni may be the logical choice to play doubles with Bopanna.

Bopanna saw a bit of himself in Saketh, particularly after having a close look at his game during the quarterfinal doubles loss in a super tie-break against him at the Chennai Open.

“Saketh has all the tools. He has a huge serve and a big forehand. His backhand is solid. He has obviously benefited from the collegiate tennis in the US.

“He is easily capable of jumping another 150 spots in the rankings. It is just a matter of time before he starts stringing a few matches together at the higher level. He needs to have the belief.

“The three Challengers at home after this Davis Cup are a great opportunity for him and a lot of other players like Jeevan (Nedunchezhiyan) and R. Ramkumar,” observed Bopanna.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sport> Tennis / by Special Correspondent / New Delhi – January 27th, 2014