Updated 01.15

IRISH BADMINTON STAR Scott Evans has bowed out in the last 16 of the Olympic Games in Rio tonight.

Evans was beaten by world number-four seed Viktor Axelsen of Denmark in straight sets, losing 21-16, 21-12.

The Dubliner has already made history at the Rio Games, having become the first Irishman to win a badminton match at the Olympics.

“I didn’t feel as good today physically as I have been,” he said afterwards.

“My lungs just didn’t feel like they were there today and that caused me to go after my shots a little bit more instead of being more patient. That cost me hugely.

I made more mistakes today than I did in the previous two days. I don’t think it was fatigue, I think emotions played a big part in it. Mentally, I was a little bit tired.

Axelsen took just 40 minutes to wrap up his win and set up a meeting with Team GB’s Rajiv Ouseph in the quarter-finals.

“It’s a huge challenge and he’s playing fantastic,” Evans said, paying tribute to his friend.

“He’s one of the guys I said has a great chance for a medal before the tournament so I knew today would be very hard.

“He was just too good today.”

“I’m proud of what I’ve done this week,” Evans added, reflecting on a groundbreaking week for Irish badminton and for him personally.

“I’ve overcome many things that I’d doubted before whether I could do or not.”

– Additional reporting by Niall Kelly

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