TOKYO, Aug. 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese shuttler Zhao Junpeng's winning streak came to an end as he was beaten by Thailand's Kunlavut Vitidsarn in straight sets in the men's singles semifinals of the World Badminton Championships here on Saturday.
Zhao, bidding to become the first Chinese player to enter the men's final in four years, shocked last year's finalist Srikanth Kidambi and another Indian H.S. Prannoy, who had ousted local hero and two-time champion Kento Momota in the second round.
After losing a close set 22-20 to the 16th seed Vitidsarn, the world's 23rd-ranked Zhao completely ran out of steam in the second set, scoring his first point after trailing at 10-0 before being overpowered 21-6.
"I was not able to cope with the wind," Zhao said. "The headwind in the second set was too strong. I just had no idea of how to play."
But the 26-year-old said that he is satisfied with a bronze medal in his second World Championships. He lost to India's Lakshya Sen in the quarterfinals at last year's worlds.
"I don't think it is due to a lack of international competitions," he said. "I have played many tournaments this season."
China's Lin Dan and Chen Long used to rule the men's singles at the worlds, but since Momota beat Shi Yuqi in the 2018 final, no Chinese player has reached the final in this event.
Viktor Axelsen, who won the world title by beating Lin Dan in 2017, will be seeking his second world title after getting past fourth-seeded Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei 21-15, 21-17. ■
