Jamie Murray will have to wait to become the world number one in doubles after he and partner Bruno Soares lost to Feliciano Lopez and Marc Lopez in the quarter-finals of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.
The Scot and Brazilian Soares, who won the Australian Open men's double title in January, were beaten 6-7 7-6 10-8.
Murray, 30, is looking to overtake Brazil's Marcelo Melo.
Despite playing with partners, doubles players are ranked individually.
Murray, who helped Britain win the Davis Cup in November, has had 63 playing partners since 2003.