Bangkok: Prachya Isaro and Maximus Pharaphol Jones have made history by winning the first gold medals for the Thai tennis team at the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. The men’s doubles final, held at the National Tennis Development Center in Muang Thong Thani, was a thrilling encounter between two Thai pairs, with Prachya and Maximus emerging victorious over Wichaya Trongcharoenchaikul and Phawich Sonlaksub. The second-seeded duo triumphed 2-1, with scores of 7-5, 3-6, and a super tiebreaker of 10-4.

According to Thai News Agency, this victory marks a significant achievement for Thailand, as it is the country’s first men’s doubles SEA Games gold medal in eight years, following the success of Sonchat and Sanchai Ratiwat in 2017. In the women’s singles final, Mananchaya Sawangkeaw, ranked 240th globally, faced Alexandra Iala from the Philippines, who is currently ranked 53rd in the world. Despite a valiant effort, Mananchaya was defeated in straight sets, 1-6 and 2-6, resulting in a silver medal for Thailand.

The tournament attracted a nearly full house of enthusiastic Thai and Filipino tennis fans, including the presence of former Thai number one, Tamarine Tanasugarn. With this outcome, Thailand’s medal tally stands at 1 gold, 4 silver, and 1 bronze. The Thai team is set to compete in three more gold medal events tomorrow, including two internal finals in the men’s singles and mixed doubles categories, ensuring the team at least two additional gold medals.