INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana (AFP) - Nearly two decades after his first appearance at the Indianapolis Championships, Frenchman Fabrice Santoro ended what may have been his final showing on Tuesday with a double fault.

Santoro, who first played here in 1991, committed a fourth service error on match point as the 35-year-old lost in the first round to America's Rajeev Ram 7-6 (8/6), 6-4.

His defeat came just 48 hours after the 35-year-old had won his sixth career singles title on grass at Newport, but the change of surfaces came too quickly for the veteran.

"It is completely different," he said of the obvious contrast between grass and cement.

"I was able to practice for just 45 minutes on Monday and conditions were really hot today."

Santoro said that while he might not fully retire in 2009, as he had hinted, he would reduce his schedule to around 15 events.

"I won't play 24 or 26 like I have done," said the Geneva-based father of a seven-year-old daughter.

"My body is fine, I've been lucky. And I'm always happy to be on the court.

"Of course I do everything possible to try and win my matches, but losing doesn't bother me quite as much as it did when I was younger."

American journeyman Bobby Reynolds beat 2007 finalist Frank Dancevic for the second time in as many meetings, taking down the Canadian 6-7 (6/8), 6-3, 6-2.

The pair met only three weeks ago at Wimbledon, with Reynolds, the world number 90, also triumphing.

The American is resigned to be returning the the lower Challenger level after this week, with his ranking preventing an entry into upcoming Masters Series tournaments in Toronto and Cincinnati.

"I can't get a rhythm when I play on the ATP," said Reynolds. "I win a match and lose a couple, it can be very discouraging. It's no way to get match-tough."

Naturalised American Wayne Odesnik beat Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi of Pakistan 6-4, 7-5 while Colombian Alejandro Falla put out Brazilian eighth seed Tomaz Bellucci 3-6, 6-4, 6-1.

Former champion James Blake, the top seed, who suffered second-round exits at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon, was opening against Dudi Sela of Israel later Tuesday.