Top seeds Mahesh Bhupathi and Max Mirnyi made a shock first round exit from USD 1,100,000 Regions Morgan Keegan Championships after suffering a straight set defeat in Memphis.
The Indo-Belarus pair lost 4-6, 4-6 in 65 minutes to the unseeded local pair of Eric Butorac and Rajeev Ram.
Bhupathi and Mirnyi had three breakpoints in the first set but could convert none.
However, their rivals did not let any opportunity go as they converted two breakpoints -- one each in both the sets -- en route to their upset win.
Bhupathi and Mirnyi split USD 4100 between them.
Bhupathi and the Belarusian had re-joined forces at the start of the season but have not had an ideal start to their partnership.
They lost in the first round of the Australian Open last month. Bhupathi also pulled out of mixed doubles event of the first Gran Slam of the year along with Sania Mirza due to a calf injury.
