28-Jan:
Robertson the man to beat
at the
English Nationals
 NATHAN
ROBERTSON has been named top seed in both the men’s and
mixed doubles at the English National Championships at the
Velodrome in Manchester from February 5-7.
Seven-times champion Robertson and men’s doubles partner
Anthony Clark are the defending champions and Clark is
bidding for an amazing ninth men’s doubles title in a row, which
would be a record for consecutive wins. The pair have won the
title five times together and their main rivals are second seeds
Chris Adcock and Robert Blair, who is a two-time former
winner with Clark.
Clark is bidding for a fourth mixed title in a row following his
three wins with Donna Kellogg. The pair are European champions
but with Kellogg having retired last month, Clark tackles the
mixed doubles with new partner Heather Olver.
The Malaysian Open last week was their first tournament together
and they beat the seventh seeds to reach the last 16 before
losing to Robertson and Jenny Wallwork. It means
Robertson and Wallwork are top seeds as they bid to win their
first English National title together following Robertson’s four
wins with World, European and Commonwealth gold medal partner
Gail Emms.
Adcock and Gabby White are a big threat to the top two
pairs as No. 3 contenders in the seeding list announced today.
White and Wallwork are top seeds in the women’s doubles
following Kellogg’s retirement with six title triumphs to her
name, including five in a row. Last year’s runners-up can expect
their main challenge to come from Olver and Mariana
Agathangelou.
In the men’s singles Rajiv Ouseph is bidding for a third
title in a row while in the women’s singles Elizabeth Cann
is aiming to recapture the title she lost to Jill Pittard last
year in a gripping final.
The Jersey star has lifted the trophy three times and is a firm
favourite after reaching the final of the Swedish International
in Stockholm on Sunday. Cheshire’s Helen Davies is seeded to
meet her in the final.
The draw for the English Nationals will be announced on Tuesday.
SEEDS FOR THE ENGLISH NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Men’s Singles
1 Rajiv Ouseph (Middx)
2 Andrew Smith (Hants)
3 Carl Baxter (Avon)
4 Harry Wright (Lancs)
5 Ben Beckman (Surrey)
6 Nathan D'Cruz (Middx)
7 Jamie Bonsels (Yorks)
8 Chris Hotchen (Gloucs)
Women’s Singles
1 Elizabeth Cann (Jersey)
2 Helen Davies (Chesh)
3 Rachel Howard (Herts)
4 Alex Langley (Notts)
Men’s Doubles
1 Anthony Clark & Nathan Robertson (both Notts)
2 Robert Blair & Chris Adcock (Leics/Notts)
3 Peter Mills & Marcus Ellis (Notts/Yorks)
4 Robin Middleton & Chris Langridge (Yorks/Surrey)
Women’s Doubles
1 Jenny Wallwork & Gabby White (both Yorks)
2 Heather Olver & Mariana Agathangelou (Sussex/Avon)
3 Jessica Fletcher & Sarah Milne (both Yorks)
4 Alex Langley & Lauren Smith (Notts/Cumbira)
Mixed Doubles
1 Nathan Robertson & Jenny Wallwork (Notts/Yorks)
2 Anthony Clark & Heather Olver (Notts/Sussex)
3 Chris Adcock & Gabby White (Notts/Yorks)
4 Robin Middleton & Mariana Agathangelou (Yorks/Avon)
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