The failure to take advantage of two crucial break-points cost Scott Barron dearly in his quest for a semi-final place in the International Tennis Federation Futures event at Leinster Cricket Club, Rathmines yesterday.

Barron, the sole remaining home player left in contention for the singles title, led 40-15 on the serve of Switzerland's Yves Allegro in the first game of the third set, after the first two sets had been exchanged.

But the visiting player battled back to hold his serve and went on to register a fully deserved 63, 6-7 (6-8) 6-2 victory.

"If I had broken him in that game, it would have set me up nicely for the match, particularly as Allegro would have been a bit down after losing the second set," said Barron.

"As well, he also returned for very good forehands to the corner," added Barron, who saved a break-point in the fourth game of the final set before Allegro broke in for a crucial 4-2 lead.

The Irish player was also regretting the fact that he failed to build on a highly encouraging start, when breaking Allegro for a 2-1 lead in the first set.

Allegro, who had eliminated Ireland's Sean Cooper in the previous round, broke back straight away and yet another break propelled him into a 4-2 advantage.

"I just played two sloppy games, and that handed the initiative to him in the first set," said Barron, who will be hoping for improved fortunes in the corresponding Futures event at Mountpleasant next week.

Unseeded Allegro now goes on to meet fellow unseeded player, Grant Doyle from Australia, who shocked number two seed, Luke Milligan of Great Britain, 6-4 6-2.