Möregårdh got a perfect start and led with 8-3 in the first set. Then it went quickly downhill - which made the Swede frustrated.
It's not working, it's far too hard, it just smashes, he said to his brother and coach Malte during a break.
The left-handed Japanese, ranked 33rd in the world, both caught up with and accelerated past the Swede with a lightning-fast return game and a merciless forehand. The 24-year-old won with 3-1 and is thus clear for the quarterfinals in China Smash in Beijing.
For Truls Möregårdh, the tournament in China ended. A result that means the 23-year-old will miss out on both ranking points and the larger part of the prize money.
The Swedish star, who won the home tournament in Malmö earlier in the summer, got a special tournament. The premiere against Kao Cheng-Jui, Taiwan, became an easy victory when the Taiwanese suffered an injury. In the next round, the Swede became involved in a dispute with the referee but got up and advanced. And in the round of 16, the Beijing adventure ended.
Even Kristian Karlsson was eliminated in the round of 16. The Swede lost to the Chinese Lin Shidong with 1-3.
