Lauren Smith admits she is loving every second of her Olympic experience despite losing her opening Rio 2016 match alongside women’s doubles partner Heather Olver.

The British duo lost 21-17 24-22 to Malaysian pair Vivian Kah Mun Hoo and Khe Wei Woon in their opening group C match, despite a terrific performance from the reigning English national champions.

Olver and Smith took their opponents to game point in the second set, but in the end, the reigning Commonwealth champions proved too strong for the Brits and clinched a tight victory.

“It was a bit up and down today,” said Smith. “I think we knew the game plan we had to do which was to push them back and take control and I think we did that at the end but there were just a few key points where we made a mistake or didn’t step enough.

“It’s quite frustrating but we did the right things at times. There were a lot of positives even though it doesn’t feel like that right now. They are tough opponents and are playing really well at the moment.

“We’ve been here a week now and have gotten used to the environment and taken it all in. It is so amazing and literally a dream come true for us.

“I’ve loved every second of it, just not the result today. I know I will look back on it with fond memories.”

The pair will face Indonesian duo Nitya Krishinda Maheswari and Greysia Polii tomorrow and take on Hong Kong’s Poon Lok Yan and Tse Ying Suet on Saturday.

And despite the disappointment in early defeat, Olver insists the British pair are ready to step up their game over the coming days.

“We’ve never actually beaten them but have always come close - we played well but we’re going to have to up it again for the next two matches,” she said.

“It’s just a shame we couldn’t have taken that second set and in the third anything could have happened. We played well but both knew that was a crucial match if we wanted to progress further.”

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