Paris: Indian pride was dented at the French Open Grand Slam tennis with Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes suffering unexpected defeats in different events in Paris yesterday (May 30, 2004).

In an event that has witnessed the seeded players tumble out in the first week, Bhupathi and Russia's Elena Likhovtseva, top seeds in the mixed doubles, were knocked out by Els Callens of Belgium and Argentine Sebastian Prieto 7-5 6-3 in the first round.

Paes advanced to the second round of the mixed doubles with Martina Navratilova but crashed out of the men's doubles with Czech Republic partner David Rikl.

Paes and American legend Navratilova, sixth seeds, breezed past Spaniard Magui Serna and Martin Rodgriguez of Argentina 6-3 6-2 into the second round.

But Paes, who won the men's doubles title at Roland Garros twice with Bhupathi in 1999 and 2001, failed to see the second week in the men's doubles as he and Rikl were overwhelmed by Argentine duo Juan Ignacio Chela and Gaston Gaudo 2-6 6-4 6-2.