Robertson’s brave bid ends in Malaysia

Anthony Clark and Nathan Robertson's brave Malaysian Open bid ended in disappointment today when they went down 21-19 17-21 21-16 to Korean second seeds Jung Jae Sung and Lee Yong Dae in the semi-finals.

The English National men’s doubles champions and 2004 European silver medallists led 12-9 in the deciding game but could not hold off a determined surge by the Koreans, who now meet Alvent Chandra and Hendra Gunawan of Indonesia in the final at this opening Super Series event of the year.

But Clark and Robertson, who will have boosted their world ranking of No 60 by reaching the last four in only their fourth tournament back in tandem, will be heartened by this performance in the countdown to the English National Championships at Manchester Veldorome from January 30-February 1 followed by the European Team Championships at Echo Arena in Liverpool from February 10-15.

England will be bidding to improve on their silver medal behind Denmark last year and win their first team gold since 1984.