elusive yet again on Saturday when the Bermudian was beaten by Brazilian Ricardo Schlachter in straight sets in the Bermuda Open.

But the Island's Davis Cup star gave the player rated ninth in his country a fright at the beginning of the second set, breaking him in the first game and holding for a 3-1 lead before Schlachter stepped up a gear and reeled off five games in a row to win 6-1 6-3.

Bermuda's only other contestant in the weekend qualifiers, the US-based Donald Evans, proved even less successful, picking up just two games in a 6-0 6-2 dismissal by American Michael Russell, a first round loser in last year's US Open.

Mallory said afterwards: "I was a little nervous. I'm usually like that in the big events. And although it took me a little time to get into the groove, I was right there with him stroke for stroke and the games in the first set were much closer than the score would suggest.'' Mallory indeed had an early opportunity to gain the upper hand against his opponent, whose main competition has come on the futures, satellite and Challenger circuits on the South American continent.

He trailed the world's 260th ranked player 40-15 in the opening game and fought back to deuce, but a crucial decision by the umpire, over-ruling the line judge, cost Mallory the game.

Mallory stayed with his opponent for most of the first set, although that was not reflected in its eventual outcome, but hit back at the beginning of the second, breaking the Brazilian in the opening game and racing into a 40-0 lead on his own serve.

At that point, he gave the home fans some restless moments with three successive double faults before holding his nerve and serve for a 2-0 lead.

That soon became 3-1 on his next service game when he opened up the court with an excellent deep backhand at 40-30 only to win the point on a mishit smash.

Mallory then picked up the first two points on Schlachter's next service game with a superb deep forehand volley and a block backhand return of serve which caught the South American in no-man's land on his way to the net.

But the younger Schlachter suddenly seemed to realise the threat he was under and began to find improved timing and accuracy and much greater power from his racquet, fighting back to 40-30 and holding with an ace.

Mallory, serving two more double faults, lost his next service game to love for the break back and at 15-15 and 3-3 Schlachter produced three aces of stunning power to move 4-3 ahead.

The latter made it six points in a row with a forehand drive, a beautiful drop shot from the back of the court and punishing cross court return and although Mallory levelled at deuce, his will and with it his hopes of squaring the match seemed to disappear when another double fault gave Schlachter an advantage he readily accepted.