Nottinghamshire News

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3rd March 2009

Robertson Forging A New Partnership

Cotgrave badminton star Nathan Robertson will find himself the centre of attention as he and his new mixed doubles partner are given a serious test this week.

His partnership with Gail Emms ended when she retired last year and now Robertson, 31, is looking to build a successful playing relationship with 22-year-old Jenny Wallwork.

Robertson has ambitions of winning gold at London 2012 and the pair, unseeded, will hope to show their credentials at the All-England Open Championships, which starts in Birmingham today.

"When you start a new partnership after eight years with someone else you have to start everything all over again," said Robertson, who won the All-England title with Emms in 2005, as well as an Olympic silver medal.

To impress in Birmingham, however, Robertson will have to see off his friend and men's doubles partner Anthony Clark in the first round.

It will be a tough challenge with Notts player Clark and partner Donna Kellogg seeded fourth after winning the European Championship title.

The match will be one of the highlights of tomorrow's programme after the qualifying rounds this morning.

Five pairings with home interest will hope to join the likes of Robertson and Wallwork in the main draw, including Austrian
Open winners Ravenshead's Robert Adcock and Heather Olver.

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