British veteran Nathan Robertson is not giving up on his Olympic dream despite admitting the battle to qualify for London 2012 is proving tough.
The 34-year-old, who won mixed doubles silver in 2004, wants to end his distinguished career on a glorious high with a final shot at gold on home soil this summer.
But with just three months remaining to claim a place in the British team, Robertson and his partner Jenny Wallwork are in danger of missing the cut.
The intricacies of the qualification system mean they are now effectively locked in a showdown with Chris Adcock and Imogen Bankier for one spot at the Games.
It seems that the pair placed the highest in the May 3 world rankings will qualify and World Championship silver medalists Adcock and Bankier currently have the edge at 14 compared to their rivals' 18.
Robertson said: "I am still just as determined but it has not gone at all the way we wanted it to and it hasn't been particularly enjoyable either, which is a bit of a shame because a year and a half ago we were top 10 in the world and looking good.
"But there is still a chance to make a happy ending at the end of it.
"It is pretty much a shoot-out between us and the other GB pair.
"There are about six or seven tournaments left and one or two rounds different in points. It is very close."
Although no Olympic qualification points were at stake, Adcock delivered another psychological blow yesterday as he and Gabby White beat Robertson and Wallwork in the final of the English National Championships in Bolton.
Adcock was playing with his girlfriend White as regular partner Bankier was in action in the Scottish equivalent tournament in Perth and the result was therefore a surprise.
But Robertson, who had been bidding for a record-equalling 16th domestic doubles title, was not unduly concerned by the 21-18 17-21 21-14 loss.
He said: "The results of this weekend won't matter too much to us.
"The only thing that matters this year is where we are in the world come the end of April."
It was a day of double doubles celebration for Adcock and White.
Adcock and Andy Ellis claimed the men's title while White linked up with Wallwork to retain their women's crown.
Bankier was also on form in Scotland, winning the women's doubles with Jillie Cooper and the mixed with Watson Briggs.
Rajiv Ouseph and Elizabeth Cann won their fifth men's and women's English singles titles respectively. Kieran Merrilees and Kirsty Gilmour won the equivalents north of the border.
