Hyderabad, Aug 10 - Mixed doubles draw at the World Badminton Championships here has a highly unlikely entry of a mother-son pair from Israel, Svetlana and Misha Zilberman and they are a big hit here.

Age shows no bearing on the 45-year-old, ever-smiling Svetlana as she keeps pace with her 19-year-old son Misha on the court. Hardly can one notice any perceptible age difference as they practice at the Pullela Gopichand Academy here, though it is palpably clear who calls the shots. Naturally Svetlana, after all she is also Misha's coach.

Misha, unfortunately for him, runs into reigning world champion Lin Dan of China in the first round.

They mother and son have combined remarkably well for the last five years at the national and international events.

'My son was looking for a partner to play in mixed doubles. And since I was his coach, we started playing together. We have fared pretty well and made the cut for the World Championship for the first time,' says a beaming Svetlana.

'We are the current national champions and won it for five consecutive years, she adds for good measure.'

And the mother works hard to match her son's fitness.

'I work hard on my fitness. I have to be in good physical condition. Then only I can play with my son.

'But it's not easy to play with your own son. There are times when I get angry, but I remind myself that I am his partner on the court, not a mother.'

For someone, who has been playing since she was 12 and has won nearly 50 national titles, age has not slowed down Svetlana.