Friday, January 9, 2009

Clark and Robertson give England a European boost in Malaysia


Nathan Robertson and Anthony Clark produced their best win since teaming up again when they beat former world champions and third seeds Lars Paaske and Jonas Rasmussen in the Malaysian Open quarter-finals today.

The English National champions, who defend their title in Manchester at the end of the month before heading for the Euroepan Team Championship in Liverpool from February 10-15, beat the third seeds 21-16 23-21.

The England pair won on their third match point and booked themselves a semi-final with second seeds Jung Jae Sung and Lee Yong Dae, who edged past Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong.

In the other semi-final top seeds Markis Kido and Hendra Setiawan meet Alvent Changra and Hendra Gunawan.

At the European Team Championship England are second seeds behind holders Denmark, who beat Ian Wright's team in last year's final in Herning.

Robertson and Clark and Paaske and Rasmussen would be likely to clash again in men's doubles if England meet Denmark in the final at Liverpool's Echo Arena on February 15.