Drago beats Judge to reach quarter-finals

Tony Drago booked his place into the quarter-finals of the World Seniors Championships when he overcame the challenge of Michael Judge in the Last 16 at the Crucible.

The Maltese veteran player is bidding for another strong run at the championship after he managed to reach the semifinal stage last year, only to be ousted by eventual winner Jimmy White.

The Valletta cueist enjoyed a bright start to the match as he raced into a two-frame lead against his Irish opponent.

Drago had the opportunity to wrap up the tie in the third match but failed to pot the final green as Judge went on to clear the table and bridge the gap to 2-1.

In the fourth frame, Drago stormed out of the blocks and opened a 40-point lead but could not close out the match.

Judge had the chance to take the match into a decider but missed the blue in central pocket.

From then on, Drago regained control to go on and take the frame and the match.

“I think someone up there wanted me to win,” Drago said after the match.

“Michael was on top in the latter stages of the match but for once luck smiled at me and I could close out the match.

“I felt that I played very well in the first two frames of the match but then I started to miss too much and Michael started to be consistent. But now I look forward to the next match.”

Drago will be again in action today when he takes on Stuart Watson in the quarter-finals.

Watson reached the last after he defeated Tony Knowles 3-0.