Dan Evans has just two wins from six events this year as the British number three lost to Russian Roman Safiullin in the first round at Indian Wells.
Evans’ last victory came with a 6-2 6-4 win over the world number 42 at the Los Cabos Open last month.
But Safiullin avenged that defeat with a 6-1 5-7 6-2 success to hand the world number 45 a third straight loss.
He broke serve twice to lead 5-0, and although Evans rallied, Safiullin had two more breaks in the deciding set.
Safiullin will go on to face American Sebastian Korda in the second round.