Pune :

For a Sania Mirza or Leander Paes, combining with a foreign partner is a part and parcel of the game. But the trend isn’t very popular in badminton.

Though it started as an experiment for doubles specialist Ashwini Ponnappa, the Karnataka shuttler is hopeful of her newly-formed partnership with Russian men’s player Vladmir Ivanov.

Playing with Ivanov will not only add another dimension to her perspective, but also help do better in women’s doubles with Jwala Gutta.

“With Ivanov, I will learn new training methods, techniques, which are followed in that part of the world. It will also help me do well with Jwala in women’s doubles, which is my pet event,” said the 2011 World Championship bronze winner.

Ponnappa, who has played with Ivanov in three tournaments so far, says finding the right mixed doubles partner is a tough task.

“It is a trial-and-error thing until you find the right partner,” said the 25-year-old player, who has previously partnered compatriot Tarun Kona.

For Ponnappa, the idea struck after her stint in the Indian Badminton League (IBL) last year. “You can say that the IBL experience of playing with Joachim Fischer has been the best for me so far. I learnt a lot while playing with Joachim. It made me open up to the idea of having a foreign partner for international meets,” the Bangalorean said.

With Ivanov, Ponnappa is aiming to improve her mixed doubles world ranking. “I have played three tournaments together with Ivanov and hopefully we will participate in more, next year. Improving on the mixed doubles rankings would be priority,” she said.

Though the association is allowed in Super Series, World Championships and other open championships, she will not be able to carry it to the Olympics or the Asian Games.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Sports> Badminton / by Tushar Dutt, TNN / November 15th, 2014