KUALA LUMPUR: Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai have no intentions of calling it quits just yet though their Olympic dream is all but over.
On Saturday, the independent pair showed they still have a lot more in their reserve tanks when they reached the mixed doubles final of the Swiss Open in Basel.
The world No. 14 defeated the Netherlands' Robin Tabeling-Selena Piek 21-18, 21-16 in the semi-finals to set up an all-Malaysian final with world No. 9 Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei.
This is the first all-Malaysian final in the World Tour since Lee Zii Jia defeated Ng Tze Yong in the Arctic Open last October.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei, who have already secured their spot in the Paris Olympics this July, ousted Taiwan's Ye Hong Wei-Lee Chia Hsin 21-16, 21-12 in the last four at St. Jakobshalle.
"It really means a lot to us to make it to the final because it shows we still have our standards," said Shevon, who together with Soon Huat, have now made it three Swiss Open final in a row since 2022.
"As you rightfully mentioned, our Olympic dream is over, and that's something really disappointing because we tried so hard for it.
"Having said that, we have no regrets, and will continue playing until the end of the year since we have already made all the plans.
"What I can share is that Soon Huat and I can now truly enjoy ourselves when we play.
"I'm not saying we didn't before this, but previously, a lot of energy and focus went towards trying to qualify for the Tokyo (2020) and Paris Olympics.
"It's not the end of the world, and just because we missed out on the Olympics it doesn't mean we should drop everything and stop playing," added Shevon.
As for Tang Jie-Ee Wei, the Swiss Open final will be their second on the World Tour this season, after finishing second at the Thailand Masters in February.
The final between both these Malaysian pairs is expected to be an exciting affair as they have an equal head-to-head record from two previous meetings.