Namangan (Uzbekistan), Apr 7 (IANS): India suffered a bad start in their Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group I tie against Uzbekistan with debutant Sanam Singh and Yuki Bhambri losing their singles rubbers here Friday.

Sanam went down 3-6, 2-6, 4-6, to World No.43 Denis Istomin in less than two hours. It was always going to be a tough match for Sanam as Istomin was in top shape having recently beaten American Andy Roddick in an ATP event in the US.

Asian Games gold medallist Sanam, a hardcourt spacialist, found it tough to adjust to the clay courts at the Pahlavon Sport Complex.

Bhambri, playing his first live rubber since making his Davis Cup debut in 2009, lost to Farrukh Dustov 4-6, 4-6, 3-6 in the second singles

Bhambri, ranked 295, was expected to shoulder the challenge in the singles in the absence of injured Somdev Devvarman. But the 19-year-old Indian lost to the 262nd ranked Uzbek.

India are still in the tie as the experienced duo of Leander Paes and Rohan Bopanna take on Istomin and Dustov in the doubles Saturday. In Sunday's reverse singles, Bhambri faces tougher task in facing Istomin in the fourth singles. The only time the met in Miami 2010, Istomin emerged the winner.