GB badminton pair into last eight

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Badminton duo defeat home side

Great Britain's Gail Emms and Nathan Robertson reached the badminton mixed doubles quarter-finals with a dramatic win over the second seeds from China.

The 2006 world champions took the first game 21-16 before Gao Ling and Zheng Bo hit back to win the second 21-16.

The British duo found themselves 12-17 down in the decider only to show great powers of recovery to triumph 21-19.

Elsewhere, Anthony Clark and Donna Kellogg fell 21-15 21-8 to China's He Hanbin and Yu Yang in the first round.

In a match that tested their mental strength, Emms and Robertson underlined their fortitude to come back from the brink of defeat to emerge as victors.

I feel about 18 at the moment Nathan Robertson

"You have to be pumped," said a delighted Emms. "If I'm in their face and showing them I'm not scared and going to get everything back then I've got that confidence and belief.

"They told me off a couple of times for shaking my fist in the air, but I didn't hit anybody or anything.

"They (Gao and Zheng) never give us anything, so it was fantastic to turn that on them for a change and come back from five points down in the third set.

"It was probably the best eight or nine points we have played against one of the best pairs in the world.

"The crowds were amazing but it is the Olympic Games. You just want to win for your country. That's the greatest feeling ever."

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Video - Emms and Robertson into quarters

Robertson had been hampered by an ankle injury in his preparations for the Games and was clearly suffering from fatigue as the hour-long match went into its final game.

As the game approached the hour mark, China opened up a lead of 12-7 as increasing gaps appeared in Robertson's defence.

But just as the Chinese pair seemed to be moving towards victory, the Brits hit back with renewed vigour to win seven points in a row to make the score 19-17.

China, who had begun making repeated requests to change the shuttle, levelled at 19-19 before Emms and Robertson used their last reserves of energy to progress to the last eight.

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Robertson hinted revenge was a motivating factor after losing out to Gao and her former partner for Olympic gold in Athens.

"It might have meant a tiny bit more being Chinese in the first round in China," he said.

"We've been up and down but we've known ever since the 2006 world championships we wanted to peak here.

"We never let our heads drop, knew we had to have fast feet and be positive. I feel about 18 at the moment."

The British duo face South Korea's Lee Hyo Jung and Lee Yong Dae in the quarter-finals on Thursday.