Mumbai: When the match unfolded for the first time, for the Indians, they encountered a hard-shelled setback.
Bopanna was paired with Canadian Daniel Nestor and faced debacle by Spanish duo Rafael Nadal and Pablo Carreno Busta (6-7, 4-6 )
The tie, which lasted for around one hour 30 minutes started with optimistic scores for Indo-Canadian pair. However, opponents proved their splendid skills at decisive phases of contest and changed the direction of winds
The first set was evenly contested with both teams winning their service games. But the Indo-Canadian pair surrendered serves thrice in the tie breaker to relinquish the first set.
With the advent of second set, Bopanna and Nestor got a break up in the first game but were quickly broken back to leave the set square at 1-1.
The two teams then matched stroke for stroke but Bopanna-Nestor lost their grip at the most crucial stage of the match, losing their serve, while down 4-5 to lose the second set in 34 minutes.
Nadal and Carreno will now face the Chinese pair of Mao-Xin Gong and Ze Zhang, who defeated America’s Steve Johnson and Sam Querrey 3-6, 6-3, 10-4.
In other match, Paes and Begemann gave a spirited display but ultimately accepted defeat after an hour and 27 minutes.