KUALA LUMPUR: When the going gets tough, the tough get going.
Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai illustrated this spirit brilliantly on Sunday, etching their names in the history books as the couple became the first Malaysian mixed doubles pair to win the Swiss Open since its inception in 1955.
In the final at St. Jakobshalle in Basel, the world No. 14 independent duo upset their world No. 9 compatriots Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei 21-16, 21-13 in just 37 minutes.
It was an inspiring and meaningful feat for Soon Huat-Shevon because not only did they finally win the title in their third Swiss Open final, but also ended their six-year wait for a World Tour crown after last winning the Singapore Open in 2018.
While Soon Huat-Shevon may have failed to realise their Olympic dreams, the pair have proven that hard work and a never-say-die attitude can go a long way.
"We have failed to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo and 2024 Paris Olympics, but looking back, I believe God has helped us grow into much stronger individuals," said Shevon.
"We've waited so long for this title. It's just incredible, and I don't know how else to express it.
"I want to thank God first and foremost because it has been six years and so much has happened in between.
"Our proudest moment during the match was our ability to maintain focus and control our emotions.
"Everything from then on was crucial, and I'm really proud of how we managed our thoughts, movement and anticipation," Shevon told Timesport today.
In an earlier interview, Shevon also shared that she and Soon Huat will continue playing and have no intentions of calling it quits.
Overcoming younger and higher-ranked opponents to win the Swiss Open only further motivates the pair, making them believe that their time is not up yet.
"I wouldn't say we are at the very top, but this win proves that we still have plenty to offer in our careers," added Shevon, who also dedicated the title to the National Sports Institute (NSI) support service staff and coaches (Teo Kok Siang and Rosman Razak) who have journeyed with them over the last one-year.
On Monday, Soon Huat-Shevon travelled to Madrid for the Spain Masters.
The Malaysians will open their campaign against China's Cheng Xing-Zhang Chi in the first round.
The other Malaysian pair in the fray is Yap Roy King-Valeree Sio, who will take on fourth seeds Rehan Naufal Kusharjanto-Lisa Ayu Kusumawati of Indonesia in the opening round.