Kunlavut Vitidsarn's wait for his first title of the year continued after the Thai star lost to China's Shi Yuqi in the men's singles final of the US$850,000 (approx 30.6 million baht) BWF French Open in Paris on Sunday.
The reigning world champion fell 20-22, 19-21 to the Chinese player in the 62-minute title decider of the World Tour Super 750 event at Arena Porte de la Chapelle in Paris.
Kunlavut, 22, was awarded a $28,900 runner-up prize (1,025,950 baht), while Shi pocketed $59,500 (2,112,250 baht).
Thai badminton chief Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul praised Kunlavut's performance in the French capital.
"It was a great tournament for Kunlavut. He got to play in the final against an in-form player like Shi Yuqi, the current world No.2," said Patama.
"View [Kunlavut's nickname] seemed to have shaken off his injuries and become fully fit again. A run to the final this week will give him a big boost for the All England Open in Birmingham next week."
Kunlavut won his last World Tour title at the 2023 Thailand Open in June last year. For Shi, it was his second French Open crown eight years after the first. The 28-year-old won the Paris tournament when it was a Superseries event in 2016.
Women's singles top seed An Se-Young of South Korea claimed her second title of the year and her 21st on the World Tour.
The Korean world No.1 rallied to defeat two-time champion Akane Yamaguchi of Japan 18-21, 21-13, 21-10 for her second French Open crown.
The women's doubles title went to Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan of China.
The Chinese top seeds went the distance in the final against unseeded Japanese pair Nami Matsuyama and Chiharu Shida before winning 21-12, 19-21, 24-22.
World No.1 pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chiraq Shetty of India beat Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan of Taiwan 21-11, 21-17 in the men's doubles final.
Chinese top seeds Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping won their first title since last October, demolishing the challenge of world champions Seo Seung-Jae and Chae Yu-Jung of South Korea 21-16 21-16 in the mixed doubles decider. Seo and Chae had defeated Thai duo Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai in the semi-finals.
The tournament served as a test event for the upcoming Paris Olympics.