Somdev Devvarman's bid to enter the main draw of the Indian Wells ATP Masters tournament fell flat as he lost the opening round of the qualifiers in straight sets to Italian 27th seed Matteo Viola.
The Indian, playing under protected ranking, suffered a 2-6, 2-6 basing at the hands of world number 127.
Somdev, ranked 250, lost his serve six times in the opening-round match of the $5,030,408 hard court event.