Chennai Open: Paes and Sa suffer shock defeat

Sharan and Raja, who were coming into the tournament after an excellent 2016 season, matched Paes and Sa in the early exchanges, before breaking Sa's serve to take the first set 6-4.

Leander Paes' partner Andre Sa (right) was a bit shaky throughout the game, which the Indian pairing of Sharan and Raja made full use of.

Leander Paes and Andre Sa became the latest casualty in a day of upsets, after the pair went down 6-4, 6-4 to Divij Sharan and Purav Raja.

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Sharan and Raja, who were coming into the tournament after an excellent 2016 season, matched Paes and Sa in the early exchanges, before breaking Sa's serve to take the first set 6-4.

Sa was a bit shaky throughout the game, which the Indian pairing made full use of.

In the second set, Sharan and Raja rushed to a 5-1 lead, but Paes led the fight back, showing his class by hitting winners with his forehand. The match was at 5-4, and it did seem at one point that the pressure might get to Sharan and Raja,

But Sharan closed off the game by serving well, and sealed the final set 6-4.

Speaking after the game, Sharan and Raja set, "We are really happy to come out on top, against such a good pair of Paes and Sa. Paes is someone we have looked up to, but we try to keep the laurels in the dressing room before going out to play. It's good to start the season with such a win, and we hope to end the year in top 30, which won't be easy but we will try our best."