<p>The Indian challenge at the Thailand Open ended after star shuttler Lakshya Sen lost a tough three-game men's singles semifinal against Thailand's second seed Kunlavut Vitidsarn here on Saturday</p>.<p>The 21-year-old from Almora looked in control in the first game against his seeded opponent but lost his way as the match progressed to eventually go down 21-13 17-21 13-21 in a contest that lasted one hour and 15 minutes.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/other-sports/indias-kiran-george-moves-to-quarters-ashmita-bows-out-of-thailand-open-1223915.html" target="_blank">India's Kiran George moves to quarters, Ashmita bows out of Thailand Open</a></strong></p>.<p>Kunlavut will next play the winner of the other semifinal between Hong Kong's eighth seed Cheuk Yiu Lee and Toma Junior Popov of France.</p>.<p>Lakshya had entered the semifinal for the first time this season, having come close in Indonesia Masters, where he exited in the quarterfinals.</p>.<p>His ranking has dropped down to 23 from a career-high sixth due to a string of below-par performances this year.</p>.<p>It was neck-and-neck between the two shuttlers initially in the first game before Lakshya surged to 11-6 lead at the break.</p>.<p>The Thai came out strong after the break and won four straight points to reduce the lead to 11-10. But Lakshya upped his game just at the nick of time to take a five point lead and the closed down the opening game quite easily without giving any chance to his opponent.</p>.<p>The second game was fought on an even keel between the two players as they matched each other till 10 points before Kunlavut used his cross-court smashes to take a narrow 12-10 lead for the first time in the match.</p>.<p>The Indian, however, forced his way with the help of long rallies and precise drop shots as the battle continued between the two players.</p>.<p>But Kunlavut raised his game a few notches and pocketed four straight points to win the second game and take the match into decider.</p>.<p>In the decider, the momentum initially shifted in Kunlavut's favour as he raced to a 5-2 lead but Lakshya clawed his away back as the two players fought tooth and nail.</p>.<p>The long rallies finally took a toll on the Indian, who looked tired as the final game progressed, handing Kunlavut a substantial 18-12 lead and then Thai closed down the decider quite easily.</p>
<p>The Indian challenge at the Thailand Open ended after star shuttler Lakshya Sen lost a tough three-game men's singles semifinal against Thailand's second seed Kunlavut Vitidsarn here on Saturday</p>.<p>The 21-year-old from Almora looked in control in the first game against his seeded opponent but lost his way as the match progressed to eventually go down 21-13 17-21 13-21 in a contest that lasted one hour and 15 minutes.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/other-sports/indias-kiran-george-moves-to-quarters-ashmita-bows-out-of-thailand-open-1223915.html" target="_blank">India's Kiran George moves to quarters, Ashmita bows out of Thailand Open</a></strong></p>.<p>Kunlavut will next play the winner of the other semifinal between Hong Kong's eighth seed Cheuk Yiu Lee and Toma Junior Popov of France.</p>.<p>Lakshya had entered the semifinal for the first time this season, having come close in Indonesia Masters, where he exited in the quarterfinals.</p>.<p>His ranking has dropped down to 23 from a career-high sixth due to a string of below-par performances this year.</p>.<p>It was neck-and-neck between the two shuttlers initially in the first game before Lakshya surged to 11-6 lead at the break.</p>.<p>The Thai came out strong after the break and won four straight points to reduce the lead to 11-10. But Lakshya upped his game just at the nick of time to take a five point lead and the closed down the opening game quite easily without giving any chance to his opponent.</p>.<p>The second game was fought on an even keel between the two players as they matched each other till 10 points before Kunlavut used his cross-court smashes to take a narrow 12-10 lead for the first time in the match.</p>.<p>The Indian, however, forced his way with the help of long rallies and precise drop shots as the battle continued between the two players.</p>.<p>But Kunlavut raised his game a few notches and pocketed four straight points to win the second game and take the match into decider.</p>.<p>In the decider, the momentum initially shifted in Kunlavut's favour as he raced to a 5-2 lead but Lakshya clawed his away back as the two players fought tooth and nail.</p>.<p>The long rallies finally took a toll on the Indian, who looked tired as the final game progressed, handing Kunlavut a substantial 18-12 lead and then Thai closed down the decider quite easily.</p>