Tony Drago’s run in the World Seniors Snooker Championship was ended by his old friend Jimmy White as the English player coasted to a 4-1 win in the semi-finals at the Crucible on Sunday.
The Maltese veteran player came into the match on the back of two excellent displays when he first saw off Vitor Puopolo 3-0 before overcoming tournament favourite Mark Davis 4-3 in a thrilling quarter-final on Saturday.
But, on Sunday Drago simply could not match the quality of play displayed by White who looked the sharper player.
In fact, White compiled runs of 64 and 74 to surge into a commanding two-frame lead.
Drago finally managed to claim his first frame of the match when he hit a break of 86 on his way to taking the third and bridging the gap to 2-1.
However, White regained control and another solid break of 74 put him just one frame away from victory.
In the fifth frame, Drago had the chance to punish White after a rare miss when leading 56-0, but the Maltese player missed a tricky red to hand the initiative back to the Englishman who went on to compile a run of 68 to seal victory.
After the match, Drago took to social media to show his appreciation for the huge wave of support he received this week from the Maltese fans.
“To all my fans all over especially in Malta thanks for your love and support you showed me this week,” Drago wrote.
“Jimmy was the better man this afternoon. I tried to bring it home but I couldn’t. I felt empty inside today, I guess the close match I had yesterday and the mixed emotions got to me in the end. I felt too relaxed, I need to be a bit nervous to perform but still happy with my performance.
“The positive thing is I know I’m back playing great snooker. Good luck to Jimmy White I hope he goes on and win it. Thank you all, love you all, God bless.”
White is hoping to make it a third time lucky at the World Senior Championships after he lost finals in the last two editions when he lost to David Lilley 5-3 in 2021 and then was beaten by Welsh player Lee Walker 5-4 in last year’s final.
