Adcocks become first Brits to reach semi of All England Open in eight years

Chris Adcock knows he has a fight on his hands if he is to continue his remarkable YONEX All England Open Badminton Championships after becoming the first Brit to reach the semi-finals for eight years.

Adcock and his wife Gabby have been one of the standout doubles pairings at this year’s prestigious competition and beat the world’s number two duo Tontowi Ahmad and Liliyana Natsir 21-18, 21-16 this evening.

The Adcocks may be seventh in the world but their inclusion in the last four is the first time a Brit has reached that stage of the world’s oldest competition since Olympic silver medallists Gail Emms and Nathan Robertson in 2008.

“To be in the semi-final of the YONEX All England – the favourite event of ours – with family and friends here, is a great feeling,” Adcocks said.

“We’re really happy, they’re a world class pair and we’ve had some real battles with them in the past.

“We didn’t expect to come out with two straight games the way we did but we’re just so happy to be here in the semi-finals of the YONEX All England Open, our favourite tournament, it’s such a great feeling right now.

“We lost 21-19 in the third game to them last year so it’s very nice to come out and win in a comfortable fashion against a world class pair, who are number two in the world.

“I just think that everybody is cranking it up and improving their level before the Olympics. We’re one of those pairs and to beat them today is a great result for us, especially here at the YONEX All England.”

The Adcocks now face fifth seeds Joachim Fischer Nielsen and Christinna Pedersen tomorrow for a place in Sunday’s final.

And the 26-year-old is well aware of the task at hand as the Adcocks have never beaten the Danes.

He said: “We are expecting a real fight. They are both great competitors, very experienced and a world class pairing but it is an exciting day for us.

“We have not played them too often and they are going to be a very tough pair – but every pair is at the semi-final of the YONEX All England.

“We just hope that we can put in a good performance and then we know we can beat any pair that is put in front of us.”

You can watch the world’s best players at the YONEX All England Open Badminton Championships at Birmingham’s Barclaycard Arena from 8-13 March. For tickets visit allenglandbadminton.com