Paes-Damm lose opening match in Shanghai

They went down 6-7 (6/8), 6-4, 3-6 against Australian Paul Hanley and Zimbabwe's Kevin Ullyett in the match that lasted two hours and 10 minutes.

Leander Paes and Martin Damm's campaign in the ATP Masters Cup started on a wrong note as they suffered an agonising loss in the opening group match in Shanghai on Sunday.

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Paes and Czech Republic's Damm, who won the US Open crown in September, waged a gallant fight while going down 6-7 (6/8), 6-4, 3-6 against Australian Paul Hanley and Zimbabwe's Kevin Ullyett in the Red Group tie in two hours and 10 minutes.

Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram of Israel came up with the shock result of the day, defeating the Bryan brothers, Bob and Mike of the US, 7-6 (7/2), 3-6, 6-1 in the Red Group match.

The season-ending ATP Masters Cup pits the top eight ranked players in singles and doubles.

The players are divided into Red and Blue Groups, and the best two from each group advance to the semifinals.