The second day of BWF India Open Super 750 2024 began on a sombre note as the Indian women’s doubles pair of Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto lost to Thailand’s Rawinda Prajongjai and Jongkolphan Kititharakul 5-21, 21-18, 21-11 in a match that showed potential for the Indian duo in excelling in future tournaments.
Despite their first-round exit, the match highlighted the strengths and areas for improvement for Ponnappa and Crasto. The duo, who are still new to playing together in BWF tournaments, made unexpected errors in the first game but made a remarkable comeback in the second game. Tanisha, the 20-year-old rising star, impressed with her brilliant strokeplay and game points, showcasing her potential. Ashwini showcased her smashing skills as well. However, their inexperience affected their performance in the final minutes of the match.
Reflecting on the match, Ponnappa acknowledged their mistakes, stating, We made a lot of errors as we got impatient. We made unforced errors, and you can’t afford to make such mistakes at such a level.
The partnership between Ponnappa and Crasto began just a year ago, making their debut as a doubles pair at the India Open. Previously, they played together at the World Tour 500 Indonesia Open in January last year. Their recent rise in the rankings, finishing at the 24th position from 161st at the beginning of the year, allowed them to qualify for their first-ever Super 1000 tournament and increased their chances of qualifying for the Paris Olympics 2024. Ponnappa, considering herself one of the best doubles players in the country, expressed the hope that either their pair or the duo of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopuchand, ranked 19th in the world, would qualify for the Olympics.
Having been part of India’s strongest women’s doubles pair for a long time with Jwala Gutta, Ponnappa sees the same potential in Crasto. However, their partnership required convincing, and they faced a narrow loss to the World No.5 pair Yuki Fukushima and Sayaka Hirota in the quarterfinals of the Indonesia Masters last year. They secured their first title together at the Nantes Open, recognizing the areas that started working for them.
Ponnappa, 34, pursues this partnership role reversal with Crasto, recognizing the age difference of 14 years between them. Nonetheless, she commends her partner’s agility and court coverage, emphasizing their unique qualities.
Looking ahead, the duo remains focused on their future tournaments, particularly the Thailand Masters, as they have back-to-back competitions lined up. They prioritize their preparations and maintain their focus on the race to the Paris Olympics.
While their first-round defeat at the India Open came as a disappointment, Ponnappa and Crasto remain resilient and determined to work on their game. With their potential and continued development, they have a promising future ahead, aiming to excel in international badminton and represent India on the grandest stage of the Paris Olympics.
