Malaysia Open 2026: Jafar/Felisha Fail to Break Bad Record

Jafar Hidayatullah/Felisha Alberta Nathaniel Pasaribu in the first round of the 2026 Malaysia Open (doc/PBSI).

JAKARTA - The mixed doubles team of Jafar Hidayatullah/Felisha Alberta Nathaniel Pasaribu failed to break their bad record against Chen Tang Jie/Toh Ee Wei from Malaysia when they met again in the first round of the 2026 Malaysia Open.

Jafar/Felisha's journey ended immediately after losing the two-game match 12-21 and 17-21 at the Axiata Arena, Kuala Lumpur, on Tuesday, January 6, 2026.

"Today's performance is far from expectations, it's ugly. If the cause is probably because it's too eager to win, it turns into pressure on yourself, so you can't be at your best," said Felisha in a statement.

The latest defeat makes Jafar/Felisha's record against Chen/Toh extend to seven matches. Previously, the six defeats they had all happened last year.

The defeat started from the Indonesia Master, Japan Open, World Championships, China Masters, Australian Open, and the last one happened in the BWF World Tour Finals group stage.

"We have never won from them, so we tried again in the new year, but it was out of control. So, it was really ugly, not sure and many died on their own. In addition, Chen/Toh also played very well today," said Jafar.

Jafar/Felisha's defeat leaves Indonesia's mixed doubles hoping for Marwan Faza/Aisyah Salsabila Putri Pranata, who will start their journey against Julien Maio/Lea Palermo (France).

Indonesia still has eight representatives who have not played. In addition to Marwan/Aisyah, the representatives who have not played are the men's singles Jonatan Christie and Alwi Farhan and the women's singles Putri Kusuma Wardani.

Then, there are Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Shohibul Fikri, Sabar Karyaman Gutama/Mohammad Reza Pahlevi Isfahani, Raymond Indra/Nikolaus Joaquin, and Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma/Meilysa Trias Puspitasari.