Mumbai, Aug 02: After putting up a decent show to reach the pre-quarterfinals in the World Badminton championships in Birmingham, national champion Aparna Popat now looks forward to the Asian circuit to improve her world ranking. Speaking to reporters here on her return from England, Popat said that her good showing in Barcelona would push up her ranking from the present no. 33.
"It was a very good learning experience and I have no regrets losing in the round of 16. I do not know how far I will climb in the rankings but I am hoping to break into the top 25.
"I should say I and Trupti Murungude played fairly well in the singles before I lost to a much higher ranked and better player," she said.
Popat, who lost to second seed Chinese Zang Ning, was already looking ahead and said, "I still have a couple of years to serve my country but my first priority would be the Asian circuit where I can hope to further improve my ranking.
"It all depends on how well I perform in the Asian circuit. From thereon I will see where I stand before making any future plans," she said.

Bureau Report