Tony Drago reached the semi-finals of the World Seniors Snooker Championship on Friday on the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.
The favored participant from Malta, who reached a career-high of quantity 10 on the earth rankings throughout his heyday within the Nineteen Nineties, beat Stuart Watson 3-1 within the final eight.
Drago received the primary body with a trademark quick-fire break of 91 earlier than including the second body as nicely to say his early management on the competition.
Nevertheless, Watson bought again into the affair by profitable a decent third and may have compelled a decider solely to overlook a straightforward closing black, which he left over the pocket.
Drago duly potted the ball to arrange an thrilling semi-final fixture towards Igor Figueiredo.
However the 58 year-old had everybody involved about his psychological well being after revealing how he has skilled a troublesome interval in his lifetime of late.
“In case you stated to me earlier than I got here right here that you simply’re going to be within the semi-finals, I’d have in all probability stated to go the place to solar don’t shine,” Tony Drago stated reside on 5Action.
“As a result of, you realize, I’m telling you, I don’t thoughts saying it in entrance of tv, as a result of it’s true.”
“I spoke to Neal [Foulds] a number of months in the past. I didn’t wish to reside. I needed to commit suicide with my issues I had, so to be right here…”
Drago, who was understandably emotional, couldn’t end the sentence however obtained a heat spherical of applause from everybody contained in the Crucible Theatre.
An expert on the primary tour for 3 many years between 1985 and 2016, Drago was nicknamed the Twister for his lightning velocity across the desk.
Recognised as one of the naturally gifted gamers ever to grace the sport, his wild type and a generally erratic temperament meant that he maybe didn’t win the silverware that his unimaginable expertise merited.
However Drago is now two victories away from touchdown a maiden title on the World Seniors Snooker Tour and a high prize value £20,000.
“It feels nice,” he later stated. “I’m only a bit upset, as a result of I do know I’m taking part in nicely. However swiftly in a greatest of 5, you make a mistake, and it’s sport on.”
“It’s simply, I’m a kind of folks sadly, the efficiency means extra to me than profitable.
“It’s nonetheless an incredible win, however I shouldn’t be going by the way in which I’m taking part in. I needs to be making it simpler, as a result of it was in every single place.
“I used to be on high, then swiftly, if he didn’t miss that black, he in all probability would have received anyway.”
Drago could have one other alternative to supply that excellent efficiency that he craves when he takes on Figueiredo on Saturday.
The Brazilian thrashed reigning world seniors champion Jimmy White 3-0 to comfortably proceed his robust run within the match.
On the opposite aspect of the draw, pre-tournament favorite Ken Doherty survived a scare earlier than rising with a 3-2 triumph towards Dechawat Poomjaeng.
The Irishman, who was a overwhelmed finalist 4 years in the past, will subsequent face Barry Pinches after the latter’s 3-1 success over James Wattana.
Each semi-finals happen on Saturday earlier than the best-of-nine body closing on Sunday in Sheffield.
2024 World Seniors Snooker Championship
Spherical of 16 (bo5)
Jimmy White 3-2 Andrew Norman
Igor Figueiredo 3-1 Tessa Davidson
Tony Knowles 0-3 Stuart Watson
Tony Drago 3-1 Michael Decide
Joe Johnson 1-3 Barry Pinches
James Wattana 3-2 Rodney Goggins
Darren Morgan 1-3 Dechawat Poomjaeng
Ken Doherty 3-1 Tyson Crinis
Quarter-Finals (bo5)
Jimmy White 0-3 Igor Figueiredo
Stuart Watson 1-3 Tony Drago
Barry Pinches 3-1 James Wattana
Dechawat Poomjaeng 2-3 Ken Doherty
Semi-Finals (bo7)
Igor Figueiredo 4-1 Tony Drago
Barry Pinches 1-4 Ken Doherty
Remaining (bo9)
Igor Figueiredo 5-2 Ken Doherty
Featured picture credit score: WSS / Andy Chubb
