KUALA LUMPUR: Thai badminton singles ace Kunlavut Vitidsarn continues to sizzle at the Petronas Malaysia Open.
Kunlavut today made Singapore's 2021 world champion Loh Kean Yew his latest victim, upstaging the third seed 21-11, 20-22, 21-14 at the Axiata Arena to reach his second straight semi-finals in the tournament.
The win took the world No. 9 a step closer to winning the title which his idol Datuk Lee Chong Wei has won a record 12 times.
Earlier this week, Kunlavut made it no secret that he is eager to meet the man he looked up to as a child and he knows he has a good chance of doing so if he reaches the final.
Chong Wei has presented the medals to the men's singles finalists - as the tournament's guest of honour - since 2019.
Kunlavut, 21, could not hide his excitement when he was asked once again about the prospect of meeting with the Malaysian legend.
"If I meet him, the first thing I will do is to take a photo with him! I'm going to be so happy (if that happens)," said Kunlavut.
Although he looks up to Chong Wei as his role model, Kunlavut said he does not model his style of play after the former world No. 1.
"He's a different player, I would say that I'm the total opposite. He's an offensive player, while my core strength is my defence," added Kunlavut.
"I play defensively and look for counter-attacking opportunities in the game."
If Kunlavut clinches the title, he will be come only the second Thai player to win the men's singles at the Malaysia Open. Charoen Wattanasin had won the title previously in 1958, 1959 and 1962.