Lakshya storms into Thailand Open semifinals while Kiran faces defeat

 Star Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen stormed into semifinals of Thailand Open Super 500 tournament with a straight game demolition of Malaysia's Leong Jun Hao in men's singles here on Friday.

21-year-old from Almora punched air after unleashing a jump smash which sealed his 21-19 21-11 win over qualifier from Malaysia in quarterfinals.

win helped him to enter last four for first time this season, having come close in Indonesia Masters, where he exited in quarterfinals.

Indian, whose ranking has slipped to world number 23 from a career-high of six following below-par performances this season, will take on eir fifth seed Lu Guang Zu of China or Thailand's second seed Kunlavut Vitidsarn in semifinals.

Kiran George's giant run, however, came to an end after he went down 16-21 17-21 against Toma Junior Popov of France in ar men's singles match.

It was an exciting contest as Lakshya and Leong kept pushing each or from start. But after a 10-11 deficit at interval, Indian fell behind as Malaysian mand to hold a 16-10 le.

But Lakshya n changed gears, stepping up pace in rallies to restore parity at 17-17 before pocketing opening game as Leong looked tired.

After change of ends, he kept a tight grip on rallies as his returns were sharper and precise. Soon he led 11-8, before breaking off at 13-11. He accumulated next 11 points in a jiffy to emerge winner.