Mahesh Bhupathi and his Bahamian partner Mark Knowles made a shocking first round exit from the ATP/WTA Miami Masters.

They lost to the unseeded French combine of Julien Benneteau and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Third seeded Bhupathi and Knowles squandered a one-set lead to go down 6-3 5-7 6-10 in the USD 4.5 million hardcourt event.

However, the Indian challenge in the event remains alive with Leander Paes and Sania Mirza still in fray in men's and women's doubles respectively.

Sania, teaming up with Taipei partner Chia-Jung Chuang and Paes, with Czech Lukas Dlouhy, are through to the pre-quarters of their respective events.