PV Sindhu and Kidambi Srikanth’s impressive run ended in the semi-finals after they went down in straight games at the Korea Open Super 500 badminton tournament here on Saturday.

Former world champion Sindhu, who came into the tournament after claiming the Swiss Open, suffered her fourth successive defeat to 20-year-old An Seyoung, losing 14-21, 17-21 in 48 minutes.

For World Championships silver medallist Srikanth, it ended in yet another semi-final finish as he came up short against Asian Games champion Jonatan Christie, going down 19-21, 16-21 in 50 minutes.

Sindhu, seeded third, tried everything at her disposal but couldn’t find a way to get past the world No.4 An Seyoung, who gave ample display of her athleticism and precision, leaving the Indian to do the catch-up job from the start.

Sindhu tried to step up the pace but An Seyoung displayed a wide array of shots to always stay a step ahead. The Indian got a few points with her smashes but she couldn’t put pressure on the Korean.

An Seyoung disposed off two weak lifts from Sindhu and then grabbed eight game points, two of which were saved by the Indian before the Korean unleashed a lightening straight smash to seal it comfortably.

Sindhu was off to a good 3-0 start after the change of ends but An Seyoung soon surged ahead to 5-3. Sindhu kept breathing down the neck of her opponent at 12-14, with the Korean going long and to the net.

Sindhu reeled off three points on the trot to keep the match alive but An Seyoung sent one away from the backhand of the Indian, who went to net next to gift three match points to the Korean.

An Seyoung unleashed another smash to seal the match and go down on her knees in joy.