Kunlavut to become first Thai men's singles world No.1
KUALA LUMPUR: Kunlavut Vitidsarn will become the first Thai men's singles player to reach the world No. 1 spot following his emphatic win at the Singapore Open on Sunday.
The 24-year-old reigning world champion crushed China's world No. 15 Lu Guang Zu 21-6, 21-10 in just 37 minutes to capture his fourth title of the year.
"I'm having a great run this season, and to be the new world No. 1 is an honour," said Kunlavut.
Currently ranked No. 2, Kunlavut has amassed 97,179 points — enough to leapfrog China's Shi Yu Qi (95,117), who dropped significant points after failing to defend his Super 750 crown.
The Singapore win earned Kunlavut US$70,000 (RM297,970), while runner-up Lu Guang Zu pocketed US$34,000 (RM144,729).
Kunlavut's rise has been nothing short of spectacular.
The Chonburi-born shuttler was a three-time world junior champion before becoming Thailand's first men's singles world champion in 2023 and clinching Olympic silver in Paris last year.
This season, Kunlavut has claimed titles at the Indonesia Masters, Badminton Asia Championships and the Thailand Open — and now adds the Singapore Open to his growing collection, taking his career tally to seven.
Given his red-hot form, Kunlavut is widely tipped to win his first Super 1000 title at the Indonesia Open, which begins in Jakarta on Tuesday.
The new world rankings will be released on Tuesday.
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