Kuala lumpur: The performance of the national mixed doubles squad at the 2026 Malaysian Masters has been described as disappointing, with head coach Nova Widianto taking full responsibility after Malaysia failed to place a pair in the semi-finals.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Nova Widianto expressed his regret over the results, acknowledging the unsatisfactory performance of the team. "Overall, the mixed doubles results here are not good. We have to admit they were bad. I personally apologise and am ready to take responsibility for the poor performance by the national mixed doubles players," he said when met yesterday.

Earlier, Malaysian hopes of having a representative in the mixed doubles semi-finals were dashed after world champions Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei crashed out in the quarter-finals yesterday. The world number four pair suffered a straight-games defeat, 18-21, 16-21, to China's eighth-seeded duo Gao Jia Xuan and Wei Ya Xin in 44 minutes.

Commenting on the performance of Tang Jie and Ee Wei, Nova admitted he was deeply disappointed with the lackluster display shown by the pair, whom he described as playing without spirit or direction. "The first thing I noticed today, especially from Tang Jie, was that they looked empty and unfocused. They did not lose because the Chinese pair played exceptionally well. In my opinion, their opponents were also below par. During the crucial points, our players seemed to play without ideas and without soul," he said.

Nova added that he would hold discussions with the world champions to find the best solution and help them regain top form ahead of the Singapore Open next week.