Great Britain's Paul Drinkhall loses in last 16

Great Britain's Paul Drinkhall saved nine match points but was unable to see off Vladimir Samsonov in the last 16 of the men's singles at the Olympic Games.

The Middlesbrough-based hitter had impressed during his opening performances in Rio de Janeiro but he was second best to the Belarusian during the opening three games.

However, the 26-year-old began to throw everything at his opponent, saving numerous match points before extending the contest into a sixth set.

Drinkhall continued to increase the pressure on Samsonov but he was unable to take the match into a decider as Samsonov eventually won by a 11-9 11-6 11-8 15-17 7-11 11-8 scoreline.