Drago powers way to Beijing

Tony Drago continued to defy the odds in the snooker world yesterday when he beat Stephen Lee 5-2 at Pontin's, Wales, to book his place in the Last 16 of the China Open which will be played between March 29 and April 4 at the Beijing Students University Stadium.

Before the current season got underway, the 44-year-old Valletta pro had failed to figure in a World Snooker Association ranking event for almost two years.

Now, in the space of a few weeks since the turn of the new year, he has made sure of his place in two successive top competitions after qualifying for the Welsh Open which was played in Newport, last month.

Despite playing in the Welsh Open, few had placed their bets on Drago reaching the main draw in Beijing when the qualifiers got underway on Tuesday. However, impressive victories over Lee Page, John Parrott and Anthony Hamilton clearly indicated that Drago was again firing at his old best.

That was confirmed with a stunning break of 122 in the third frame yesterday as world no.25 Lee hit back to draw level at 2-2 all. But, Drago added runs of 75 and 41 to make sure of the next three frames and a passage to Beijing.

In the last 16, Drago faces Joe Perry, who started the season no.12.

The best players in the world, including Ronnie O'Sullivan, John Higgins, Mark Selby, Stephen Hendry and Ding Junhui, will also play in the China Open.

Before Beijing, Drago will be involved in another series of qualifiers, this time for the more prestigious World Championship.

His first opponent on his long way to Sheffield's Crucible will be Xiao Guodong on March 1.

Result: Lee 2-5 Drago - 67(48)-64, 54(50)-71(65), 1-122(122), 78(77)-1, 0-60, 0-91(75), 47(46)-63(41).