Busanan Ongbamrungphan lost to world champion Akane Yamaguchi in the women’s singles final of the US$475,000 (approx 15.2 million baht) BWF Arctic Open in Vantaa, Finland, on Sunday.
The Thai fourth seed went down 19-21, 16-21 in 43 minutes as top seed Yamaguchi picked up her third title of the year.
The Japanese star won her third world crown in Paris and also triumphed at the Korea Open last month.
For Busanan, it was her first final appearance in 13 months. The Thai also lost to Yamaguchi the last time she made it to a final — at the 2024 Japan Open.
Busanan’s defeat ended a disappointing Sunday for Thailand as Kunlavut Vitidsarn was beaten by Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen in the men’s singles final earlier in the day.
Chou won the marathon decider, 21-11, 13-21, 21-19, in an hour and 17 minutes for his first title of 2025.