Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares were eliminated in the second round of the men’s doubles after an epic clash with veteran Indian duo Leander Paes and Purav Raja.

Murray and Soares, the 2016 champions, struggled to find their best tennis against 44-year-old Paes and 32-year-old Raja and slipped to a 7-6 (7/3) 5-7 7-6 (8/6) after two hours and 54 minutes.

In a match full of exciting rallies, fifth seeds Murray and Soares dug in well to force a deciding tie-break and held one match point but they were unable to capitalise.

And it was Raja who stepped up to make the difference, creating a match point with a fine stop volley and then threading a return down the line.

Paes, one of the most flamboyant characters on tour, lifted his partner into the air as they celebrated victory but it was a very different feeling for Murray and Soares, who had hoped to make it to the latter stages after disappointment at the grand slams in 2017.

There was better news, though, for Murray’s Davis Cup partner Dominic Inglot, who is through to the third round with partner Marcus Daniell of New Zealand after they beat French duo Benoit Paire and Hugo Nys 6-4 6-2.