Kunlavut’s China campaign ends with Antonsen defeat

World champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn lost 21-16, 21-11 to Denmark’s Anders Antonsen in their last Group B match at the BWF World Tour Finals in Hangzhou, China, yesterday.

The Thai, who has just returned from an injury lay-off, was beaten by the Dane in 49 minutes in the season finale.

He bowed out of the US$2.5 million tournament without a single win, having lost to Jonatan Christie of Indonesia and home star Li Shifeng.

Despite the Hangzhou setback, Kunlavut, 22, has enjoyed one of his best seasons on tour. Apart from the world title, the Chon Buri native had two other wins in India and Thailand.

In the women’s doubles, Thai duo Jongkolphan Kititharakul and Rawinda Prajongjai also suffered an early…