WOMEN'S doubles shuttler Vivian Hoo reached the last eight at the India Open but exited with some regret.
Vivian and Lim Chiew Sien fell in the quarter-finals on Friday in New Delhi, losing 21-19, 11-21, 21-16 to third seeds Anastasiia Akchurina-Olga Morozova of Russia.
"We were really hoping to collect valuable ranking points from this Super 500 event as some top players are not here.
"Unfortunately, we could only manage a top eight finish. I'm definitely disappointed," lamented Vivian, who was forced to close down two of her businesses last year due to Covid-19.
The Malaysian world No 88 pair hope to redeem themselves in the Super 300 Syed Modi International which starts on Tuesday, and the Odisha Open the following week.
Vivian, 31, is hoping for one last hurrah with Chiew Sien, and is grateful to their sponsors, Protech and BT Bina, for giving them the opportunity to focus on badminton full time as professionals.
If Vivian-Chiew Sien could break into the world top 32 by this year, then they might just have a crack at making the 2024 Paris Olympics.
"That (2024 Paris Games) is our target surely, but our short term goal is to qualify for this year's World Championships.
"We need to start taking our chances, and rake in enough ranking points to move up," added Vivian, who eyes a top four finish at least, in the next two tournaments.
Meanwhile, at the Estonia International in Tallinn, men's singles Jacky Kok cruised into the quarter-finals on Friday with a 21-14, 21-14 win over Finland's Joakim Oldorff in the second round.
However, another national backup player, Ong Ken Yon, crashed out after losing 21-11, 21-17 to top seed and local favourite Raul Must in the second round.
Must is tipped to face Jacky in the semi-finals.
