World Championships bronze medalist Lakshya Sen’s giant-killing run ended with a straight-game loss to Thailand’s rising star Kunlavut Vitidsarn within the summit conflict of German Open Super 300 badminton event right here on Sunday.
The 20-year-old Sen, who had claimed his maiden Super 500 title at India Open in January, misplaced 18-21 15-21 in 57 minutes to the three-time world junior champion Vitidssarn within the remaining match.
World quantity 12 Sen got here into the match with a 3-3 head-to-head file in opposition to Vitidsarn, ranked twentieth, having crushed the Thai of their final assembly at Hylo Open final 12 months.
In a battle of equals, Sen and Vitidsarn matched one another in pace within the rallies to maneuver 4-4 earlier than the Thai rode on his variations and deception to seize a comfortabe 11-6 lead on the break.
Sen labored up his tempo and took management of the online to make it 15-16 however an alert Vitidsarn managed to seize two recreation factors with an overhead cross-court drop. Sen wanted medical consideration for a blister on his foot even because the Thai got here up with a cross courtroom smash to pocket the opening recreation.
Congratulations on at #GermanOpen2022, @lakshya_sen
You gave your finest, everybody has witnessed that and we’re pleased with you. Take some deserved relaxation and see you subsequent week in England #IndiaontheRise#badminton pic.twitter.com/MVFJfgLJDS
— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) March 13, 2022
Unseeded contenders Lakshya Sen and Kunlavut Vitidsarn rival for the title in Muelheim an der Ruhr.#BWFWorldTour #GermanOpen2022 pic.twitter.com/opcbvZmAZk
— BWF (@bwfmedia) March 13, 2022
The gruelling semifinal in opposition to Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen appeared to have taken a toll on Sen as Vitidsarn jumped to a 7-3 lead within the second recreation earlier than shifting to a 11-5 benefit after the change of sides.
The Indian wanted the physician’s consideration once more as he fought his manner again with 4 straight factors however Vitidsarn managed to maneuver to 19-15 after which took 5 match factors earlier than sealing the second recreation and the match within the first probability.
Sen had received two Super 100 titles — Dutch Open and SaarLorLux Open — moreover three worldwide problem at Belgium, Scotland and Bangladesh in 2019, earlier than the COVID-19 pandemic got here in the best way of his progress.
Last 12 months, the teen made it to the semifinals at Hylo, reached the knockout stage at World Tour Finals on debut earlier than scorching on the World Championships with a bronze.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
