“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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Ireland's Scott Evans bows out of Rio Olympics after creating history
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.
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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