Noppawan Lertcheewakarn of Thailand, pictured in 2011, was dominant againt the Southeast Asian Games ©Getty Images

Former world junior number one Noppawan Lertcheewakarn of Thailand secured her third tennis gold medal of the Southeast Asian Games with victory alongside Varatchaya Wongteanchai in the women’s doubles in Singapore.

The duo breezed to the title in confident style, winning 6-3, 6-4 against Denise Dy and Katharina Lenhert of the Philippines in the final to ensure the 2009 Wimbledon junior champion ended the tennis event in style.

“I'm coming back from the injury, and I'm getting a little bit more match play,” she told the Bangkok Post.

“The SEA Games experience will help my progress as I've had a lot of good matches in singles and doubles, and I've learned to focus on myself instead of thinking too much about my opponent."

Thailand once again dominated the tennis tournament and they enjoyed another successful day as the event came to an end.

Warit Sornbutnark proved too strong for David Susanto of Indonesia in the men’s singles final, although the contest did go the distance before the Thai player clinched gold with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 win.

Elsewhere, Malaysian compound archer Fatin Nurfatehah Mat Saleh produced an incredible display to claim three golds in the space of less than five hours.

She had never won a Southeast Asian Games title before today but she began in ominous fashion as she was part of the winning women’s team in the compound event as they beat Thailand 223-210 in the gold medal contest.

Fatin Nurfatehah Mat Saleh won three gold medals in the space of five hours ©SEA Games
Fatin Nurfatehah Mat Saleh won three gold medals in the space of five hours ©SEA Games

The 24-year old then went on to secure the mixed team title in a 151-140 win over Thailand and Fatin secured an incredible haul by reigning supreme in the individual category, edging Amaya Amparo Cojuangco of the Philippines 138-136.

“Today is certainly the happiest day of my life,” she said.

“After four Games appearances, I finally won not only one, but three golds.”

Thailand also won golds in rowing, wakeboarding, martial art pencak silat and bowling, while there was double success for the host nation as they won two floorball golds.

Singapore however still trail Thailand in the overall medal standings as they currently have a total of 81, five adrift of their rivals at the summit.



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