KUALA LUMPUR: Independent mixed doubles Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai have experienced enough heartbreaks.
So instead of worrying about qualifying for the Olympics, which may seem like it's out of reach at the moment, the former national pair want to focus on scoring good results.
On Tuesday, Soon Huat-Shevon checked into the second round of the Super 750 India Open in New Delhi after ousting France's Thom Gicquel-Delphine Delrue 21-15, 21-15.
The Malaysians will face Hong Kong's Reginald Lee Chun Hei-Ng Tsz Yau or China's Cheng Xing-Zhang Chi next.
When contacted, Soon Huat-Shevon, who only made it as far as the second round of last week's Malaysia Open said: "It's been really hectic, competitive, thus a very draining period.
"As seniors, who are also independents, we have to juggle a lot.
"However, there are some positives that we can take away from all our challenges.
"Despite falling pretty far behind on the Olympic qualifying list, this period has taught me and Soon Huat a lot.
"We have managed to overcome obstacles that would have broken us in the past."
On the world ranking standings, Soon Huat-Shevon are five rungs below Malaysia's current top pair Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei, at No. 14.
But on the Race to Paris standings, Soon Huat-Shevon are ranked No. 19.
Soon Huat-Shevon must be among the top eight (Race to Paris) at the end of the qualification period in April or by hook or by crook overtake Tang Jie-Ee Wei by then.
Mathematically, there is still an outside chance, but achieving the feat is tall order.
"We don't want to think too much or too far ahead, because that has only brought us setbacks.
"Right now, we just want to stick to taking one match at a time," added Shevon.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei, who crashed out in the second round of the Malaysia Open last week, as well as another Malaysian duo Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing, will play in the second half of first round matches on Wednesday.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei play Indonesia's Rinov Rivaldy-Pitha Haningtyas Mentari, while Kian Meng-Pei Jing take on second seeds and newly crowned Malaysia Open champions Yuta Watanabe-Arisa Higashino of Japan.