Drago storms into last eight

Tony Drago again delighted a packed Hilton Conference arena last night as he stormed into the quarter-finals of the European Open, beating none other than world no.4 Paul Hunter 5-2.

Today, Drago plays Quinten Hann for a place in the semi-finals.

Yesterday, Hann ousted Anthony Hamilton 5-1 to join Australian compatriot Neil Robertson, who beat David Gray 5-2, in the next round.

Drago's performance was the best of the week so far as he made the most of an erratic Hunter, a shadow of the player who triumphed at the Masters in Wembley this year.

"It's about time that I start giving my home fans something to cheer about when I'm playing in Malta," an enthusiastic Drago said.

"For the past ten years there were few occasions when I performed to my standards when playing in my country... I let the pressure to affect me badly in previous occasions.

"But this time it's different. Before the tournament started, I had already accepted the fact that playing at home will add more weight on my shoulders. Now, instead of seeing it as a handicap, I'm just trying to use it as an advantage."

For Drago this was the second time he had reached the quarter-finals of a ranking event in Malta.

In 1996, he also joined the last eight of the European Open but lost to eventual finalist Peter Ebdon 5-2.

This time the Valletta professional is hoping for a different story.

"I will try to go all the way, but it won't be easy. With some of the top players already out of the tournament people would think there is an easy route to the final. But it would be stupid to think that way," he said.

"All players are difficult opponents... you can never say for sure in this game. I will only focus on my next game and we'll see from that."

Drago seemed the most relaxed of the two contestants at the start of the match as Hunter was running out of position and missing some crucial balls.

Drago, at times again showing glimpses of extreme patience in his game which helped him through in the first round on Tuesday against Alan McManus, fully exploited from the situation, racing to a 2-0 lead and firing a break of 55 in the second frame.

Hunter hit back strongly, potting an 82 to half the deficit but Drago soon restored his two-frame lead to go into the interval 3-1 up.

On resumption one expected the Englishman to up his game but he was clearly struggling, opening the way for Drago to go 4-1 up and one frame away from victory.

Hunter delayed home celebrations though when winning the sixth 59-16 but Drago made sure to avoid another tense situation, like the one against McManus, and went on to claim the seventh frame and seal his place in the last eight in style.