Loh Kean Yew s Thailand Open run ends in semis loss to bogeyman Kunlavut Vitidsarn

SINGAPORE – Loh Kean Yew’s run of eight straight wins came to a screeching halt on May 17 at the hands of a familiar bogeyman, as home favourite Kunlavut Vitidsarn defeated the Singaporean 21-10, 21-12 in the singles semi-final at the US$475,000 (S$616,000) Thailand Open.

It was the Thai world No. 2’s eighth straight victory over Loh since 2021 – their head-to-head record stands at 8-1.

Kunlavut will face Denmark’s world No. 3 Anders Antonsen in the final of the Badminton World Federation World Tour Super 500 event at the Nimibutr Stadium in Bangkok on May 18.

Loh said: “I started well but as the game went on, it was getting more and more difficult to score winners. I gave my everything but it wasn’t enough.”

The world No. 11 last beat his Thai nemesis in their first meeting at the 2015 Thailand International Challenge, but has found it difficult to eke out another win in a decade.

The opening game saw Loh staying neck and neck with Kunlavut, but the Singaporean was made to work hard for every point against an opponent who does not commit many unforced errors.

The Thai world champion also uses his speed, agility and determination to hunt down every shot on the court.

After missing the chance to level the game at 9-9 with a smash into the net, Loh’s patient game went to pieces, as the unforced errors racked up and Kunlavut won 11 out of the next 13 points to claim the first game.

The Thai won the second game at a canter to stake his claim on his third title of the season, after triumphs at the Indonesia Masters in January and Badminton Asia Championships in April.

National singles head coach Kim Ji-hyun said: “Today, Kean Yew was unable to execute