Consistency and patience will be key: Shuttler Crasto

NEW DELHI: Set to compete at the Paris Games, young shuttler Tanisha Crasto believes she and her women’s doubles partner Ashwini Ponnappa have the game to match the world’s best but need to work a bit more on consistency and patience to produce results at the Olympics.

The 20-year-old Tanisha and Ashwini, 34, made the cut for the Olympics after finishing 13th at the end of the qualification cycle.

“I feel like one thing we could work on is being more consistent and having more patience on the court because one thing that is very common in this set of players is that the matches go very long and also they are very consistent with the way they play,” Tanisha said.

“If we work on the same aspect, it could help us in tackling these players. I think we are already there at that level and I think we are very much capable of competing and even winning tournaments.”

The world no. 21 Indian pair will face the likes of heavyweights Nami Matsuyama- Chiharu Shida (Japan), Chen Qing Chen-Jia Yi Fan (China) and Baek Ha Na-Lee So Hee (South Korea) at the Paris Games. Tanisha said the experience of her partner Ashwini, a two-time Olympian, will hold them in good stead at the Paris Games.

“She has the ability to change plans immediately if things are not working out and she is very motivating on the court. There has never been a time when I felt stressed. She gives me great tips on the court. These are the things which only come with experience, how to manage the pressure on court and that helps me.”