It's not always all smiles in the Emms/Robertson camp

Badminton pairing Gail Emms and Nathan Robertson are arguably two of the biggest names in the England camp at the Commonwealth Games.

They captured the public's imagination with their silver medal at the Athens Olympics and are the favourites to win gold in the mixed doubles in Melbourne.

They are also going for the top prize in the mixed team event and open that campaign on Thursday.

BBC Sport gets them to list each other's likes, dislikes, bad habits and inner secrets to what makes them the world's number one ranked pair.

What are Gail's greatest strengths? She's a great attacking player, which really suits my style. She likes fronting up at the net, which I revel in.

What are her weaknesses, if any? I honestly can't think of any. If there are any it doesn't matter as her style of play is perfect for mine.

What makes you work as a pair? It's difficult to define exactly. It just doesn't work in badminton or any other sport that you can put the world number one and two together and they blitz all the rest.

When we're playing in front of the cameras Gail's always quick to do her hair and make-up! Nathan Robertson

You only have to look at Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods in golf. We know we're not the best two badminton players in the world but we just click.

Also, we know each other's game inside out. We played together at junior level from 15 to 18 years old and then got back together in 2001. Five years on we're still learning and improving.

Does Gail have any bad habits? There is one thing that sticks out - when we're playing in front of the cameras she's always quick to do her hair and whack on the make-up.

More cameras means more make-up!

Do you ever fall out on and off court? I can't think of a time we've properly argued. Even if we lose a match we don't come off bickering and blaming each other. What's the point?

Emms and Robertson's smash masterclass

We used to get annoyed in training in the past but now, if one of us is having a bad day, we say "so be it" and that's that.

What's Gail's goal for the Games? Potentially two gold medals. We'd be really disappointed if we didn't win the mixed doubles - as world number ones we're the clear favourites.

And I'd hope we'd defend the team prize we won in Manchester.

Name one thing not a lot of people know about Gail: Her mum played for England at the women's World Cup in Mexico in 1971.

What's Nathan's greatest strength? He is brilliant when he's on the attack and it leaves me to get on with my game as well as letting me avoid playing at the back of the court too much, which I don't like!

What are his weaknesses? He insists he doesn't have any. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt!

Is there anything about him that annoys you? Where to begin?! There's lots - his arrogance and confidence, he's moody and he throws his racquet on court too much.

And he doesn't train enough but still manages to be brilliant in a match. That's so irritating!

Is there anything about him that doesn't annoy you? Yeah, plenty. One of the great things about him in a match is that he comes out with really odd comments - things that aren't even relevant to the match.

Nathan's good enough to play table football for England Gail Emms

Often he does it at key moments and it always eases the pressure. Next time you see me smile on court, it probably means Nathan's said something ridiculous.

Do you socialise together much away from the game? We don't actually that often despite living around the corner from each other. That said, we do meet up at the odd social event.

Where can you improve as a pair? We could be better at training a lot better. But at least we're better than we were when we first teamed up.

Emms and Robertson's serving masterclass

Is there anything that goes on in badminton that would surprise people? It's surprisingly bitchy. There's not quite sledging as in cricket but the guys square up to each other in true testosterone fashion while the girls can be pretty bitchy to each other.

Name something that not a lot of people know about Nathan: He's good enough to play table football for England. I've never seen anyone beat him.