Nathan Robertson saw his pursuit of a record-equalling 16th title go up in smoke at the English National Badminton Championships as Chris Adcock struck a major psychological blow in the race to London 2012 – but the Olympic silver medallist has been around too long to hit the panic button just yet.

The 34-year-old was hoping to tie Mike Tredgett’s record in Bolton but he and Jenny Wallwork were downed by Adcock and Gabby White in the mixed doubles final, crashing to a 18-21, 21-17, 14-21 defeat. 

Robertson and Wallwork were confident of retaining their crown after a recent win at the Swedish Open revitalised their hopes of edging world silver medallists Adcock and Imogen Bankier – absent from Bolton as she is Scottish – to the sole British Olympic mixed doubles spot. 

The most recent world rankings have Robertson and Wallwork in 18th while Adcock and Bankier are 14th with whoever is highest at the end of April almost certain to get the nod. 

Robertson and Wallwork prevailed the last time the two pairs clashed but with Adcock and former partner White triumphing; last year’s champions were left with egg on their faces. 

But Robertson was quick to brush off the defeat, he said: “Chris is a world class player and when Imogen is playing well they are a dangerous pair. 

“This year hasn’t gone at all as we would have hoped and it has been difficult but we will keep going and keep hunting points until the end and hopefully get there, that’s the most important thing.

“This final was really quite a poor match and it’s a level neither side are aspiring to so it won't affect us much in the bigger picture.”

Meanwhile, both Adcock and White were celebrating again as both won another crown – Adcock teaming up with Andy Ellis to lift the men’s doubles crown while White and Wallwork won their third straight women’s doubles title. 

And in the singles both Liz Cann and Rajiv Ouseph eased their way to fifth career titles –Ouseph breaking new ground in the process, becoming the first to win five in a row. 

Sportsbeat / Eurosport