Drago eliminated

Tony Drago was eliminated from the 2010 World Championship when he was beaten by Ian McCulloch 10-6 in the third round of the qualifying phase in Sheffield, last night.

McCulloch and Drago shared the first four frames before the Preston potter took the next four with a top run of 95 to open a 6-2 lead.

With 16 wins out of 20 matches this season, Drago limited the damage with a 68 in the last frame before the first session was over but knew he was facing a tall order to outsmart the world no.35 at the English Institute of Sport.

Drago, who beat two Chinese qualifiers on his way to the third round, won three of the opening five frames when play restarted to pull back to 8-6.

However, McCulloch clinched a crucial 15th frame that took the fight out of the veteran Maltese pro who only conceded defeat after more than five hours on the table. McCulloch plays Barry Hawkins on Monday with a place at the Crucible at stake.