Clark and Robertson plough on in Malaysia

ANTHONY Clark and Nathan Robertson are on the march in the men's doubles at the Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur.

_{HAPPY NEW YEAR: Clark and Robertson (pictured) continue their impressive form (Getty Images)}

The English Nationals champions, who defend their title in Manchester at the end of this month, followed up yesterday's thrilling win over Malaysians Choong Tan Fook and Lee Wan Wah by beating Fang Chieh Min and Lee Sheng Mu of Taipei 21-18, 21-16.

That earned Clark and Robertson a quarter-final clash with Denmark's third seeds Lars Paaske and Jonas Rasmussen, who are likely to be key members of the defending champion and top seed's squad at the European Team Championship in Liverpool from February 10-15.

But there was disappointment for England's Robert Blair and Scotland's Imogen Bankier in the mixed doubles when the fifth seeds lost 21-16, 21-18 to Malaysia's Hoon Thien How and Chin Eei Hui.

The Anglo-Scottish pair will now be among the small squad heading for next week's Korean Open in Seoul along with women's doubles partnership Gabby White and Jenny Wallwork and singles player Andrew Smith.

Richard Eidestedt and Andrew Ellis will compete in doubles in Korea, along with Blair and Adcock who will also partner White in mixed.