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 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 properly to claim his early management on the competition.
Nevertheless, Watson bought again into the affair by profitable a decent third and may have pressured a decider solely to overlook a straightforward remaining black, which he left over the pocket.
Drago duly potted the ball to arrange an thrilling semi-final fixture in opposition to 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.
“If you happen to mentioned to me earlier than I got here right here that you simply’re going to be within the semi-finals, I might have most likely mentioned to go the place to solar don’t shine,” Tony Drago mentioned reside on 5Action.
“As a result of, , 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] just a few months in the past. I didn’t wish to reside. I wished 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 a long time between 1985 and 2016, Drago was nicknamed the Twister for his lightning pace across the desk.
Recognised as one of the naturally gifted gamers ever to grace the sport, his wild type and a typically erratic temperament meant that he maybe didn’t win the silverware that his unbelievable expertise merited.
However Drago is now two victories away from touchdown a maiden title on the World Seniors Snooker Tour and a high prize price £20,000.
“It feels nice,” he later mentioned. “I’m only a bit dissatisfied, as a result of I do know I’m taking part in properly. However impulsively in a greatest of 5, you make a mistake, and it’s recreation 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 best way I’m taking part in. I must be making it simpler, as a result of it was in every single place.
“I used to be on high, then impulsively, if he didn’t miss that black, he most likely would have received anyway.”
Drago could have one other alternative to provide that good 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 sturdy run within the event.
On the opposite facet of the draw, pre-tournament favorite Ken Doherty survived a scare earlier than rising with a 3-2 triumph in opposition to 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 remaining 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 Choose
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
Ultimate (bo9)
Igor Figueiredo vs Ken Doherty
(Could twelfth, 12pm)
Featured picture credit score: WSS / Andy Chubb