World Championships bronze medallist Lakshya Sen’s giant-killing run ended with a straight-game loss to Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn in the summit clash of German Open Super 300 badminton tournament on Sunday.

The 20-year-old Sen, who had claimed his maiden Super 500 title at India Open in January, lost 18-21, 15-21 in 57 minutes to the three-time world junior champion Vitidsarn in the final.

In the semi-final on Saturday, Sen had stunned top seed and world No. 1 Viktor Axelsen 21-13, 12-21, 22-20.

World No. 12 Sen had come into the match with a 3-3 head-to-head record against Vitidsarn, ranked 20th, having beaten the Thai in their last meeting at Hylo Open last year.

In a battle of equals, Sen and Vitidsarn matched each other in speed in the rallies to move 4-4 before the Thai grabbed a 11-6 lead at the break.

Sen worked up his pace and took control of the net to make it 15-16 but an alert Vitidsarn managed to grab two game points with a overhead cross-court drop. Sen needed medical attention for a blister on his foot even as the Thai came up with a cross court smash to pocket the opening game.

Vitidsarn jumped to a 7-3 lead in the second game before moving to a 11-5 advantage. The Indian needed the doctor’s attention again as he fought his way back with four straight points.