Srinath, a wild card entrant devoid of ATP points, posted an impressive straight set 6-3, 6-4 victory over Croatian Ivan Ljubibic ranked 293 on the ATP list in under an hour.

Srinath claimed the first set easily with serves and sustained the pressure in the second set. His serve-and-volley tactics along with rushing up to the net brought him ascendancy over his rival.

But the other Indians crashed out unceremoniously against foreign rivals.

Syed Fazaluddin, another wild card, was shown the exit by Great Britain's Jamie Delgado who won with a measure of comfort 6-3, 7-5. Syed's resistance was restricted to the second set but he was always fighting a losing battle.

Another Briton, fourth seed Barry Cowanwas stretched to overcome a fighting Bhupathi ranked 383 on the ATP. Cowan tamed Bhupathi 7-6, 6-3.

The Briton's court craft and booming serves had Bhupathi stranded frequently. The Indian pointed to fatigue that prevented him playing to

Bhupathi later partnered Srinath to beat M Pampolouv and Oran Motevassel fluently by 6-2, 6-3. Bhupathi said that the duo had entered the doubles event purely for fun but the win has now boosted confidence to go for the title.

Vijay Kannan ranked 931 on the ATP was easily dumped by second seed Anthony Dupuis of France. The Frenchman, generally in command, used a strong first serve and neat placings to win 6-2, 2-6, 6-4.

Results (1st round singles): G Motomura bt A Merinov 6-3, 1-6, 6-3; K masuda bt G Cladwell 6-1, 7-6; S Delgado bt S Fazaluddin 6-3, 7-5; A Strambini bt M Joachim 6-3, 6-4; Barry Cowan bt Mahesh Bhupathi 7-6, 6-3; O Sela bt L Mor 6-3, 6-3; A Dupuis bt V Kannan 6-2, 2-6, 6-4; P Srinath bt I Ljubibic 6-3, 6-4.

Doubles: N Behr & E Ran bt DCladwell & A Merinov 6-2, 7-5; M Bhupathi & P Srinath bt M Pampoulov & O Motevassel 6-2, 6-3. N Okun & N Wellgreeen bt N Kirtane & S Kirtane 6-3, 7-5.