The pair of Sania Mirza and Rushmi Chakravarthi bowed out of the women's doubles tennis competition at the London Olympics, losing to the Chinese Taipei pair of Su Wei Hsieh and Chia-Jung Chuang on Saturday.
The Indians fought their way back after losing the first set tamely, but were beaten 1-6, 6-3, 1-6 in 91 minutes.
- London Olympics 2012 - Complete coverage
Sania-Rushmi, who made her Olympics debut, were never serious contenders in the event and India's medal hopes now rest in the men's doubles and mixed doubles competitions.
Sania-Rushmi, bronze medal winners at the 2010 Commonwealth Games at home, were playing together for the first time since the Delhi Games.
They got five break chances in the first set but failed to convert any.
Although they won the second set 6-3, the Chinese Taipei pair outclassed them in the decider, racing to a 5-0 lead before the Indians pulled a game back.
Sania will now play in the mixed doubles with Leander Paes.
Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna and Paes-Vishnu Vardhan begin their campaign in the men's doubles competition on Sunday.
Somdev Devvarman also plays his first round men's singles match on Sunday.
