By Daragh Ó Conchúir

Scott Evans’ historic run in his third Olympic Games has come to an end but he covered himself in glory with a really gutsy effort before losing in straight sets to world no 4 and European champion, Viktor Axelsen.

Evans has been based in Denmark for the last 12 years and knows the Dane well having trained with him on numerous occasions.

The 28-year-old achieved the first ever win by a badminton player at the Olympics when shocking world no 12 Marc Zwiebler of Germany.

He followed that up by overcoming the boos of the home crowd to overcome 19-year-old Brazilian Ygor Coelho De Oliveira and that established a last 16 tie against Axelsen.

Evans performed admirably in the opening set and gave as good as he got before giving way at 21-16.

The efforts clearly took their toll as Axelsen continued to force errors by moving Evans around the court and moving 19-5 ahead in the second set.

Displaying the character that had been so evident in that brilliant come-from-behind win against Zwiebler, the Dundrum man began to impose his own game plan and with improved precision, reeled off the next six points.

He left himself too much to do however and Axelsen was able to see it out on a 21-12 scoreline.

Evans shared a warm embrace with Axelsen before turning to the Irish hockey team, who had turned up to support him, ripping off his shirt one last time to mirror his celebrations following his previous victories – a salute mirrored by the hockey players to finish off a memorable campaign.