On Q Promotions
Malta’s Tony Drago flew into the second round of the 2010 Shanghai Masters after beating China’s Xiao Guodong 5-2 at the EIS in Sheffield.
Drago whistled into a 1-0 lead with a break of 73 and then followed it up with a sublime century, compiled in just five minutes 26 seconds.
The talented up and coming Chinese youngster made 38 and 67 to draw level at the interval.
On the resumption Drago re-established his lead with a run of 46 and then dominated the sixth frame to go further ahead.
A close seventh frame was resolved when the Maltese star took blue to black to secure victory.
Victory takes Drago into round three, just two wins from a trip to Shanghai in September. He will face the vastly experienced Anthony Hamilton on Wednesday.
Drago was delighted with his victory asserting that he played well and attributing his good early season form to the high quality match practice he gets at the South West Snooker Academy in Gloucester, England (www.southwestsnookeracademy.com).
Drago is managed by On Q Promotions and the brand news academy is the brain child of On Q boss Paul Mount. Over 2 million pounds have been invested in building the state of the art facility to the highest specifications.
The Academy doubles up as both a top class venue, with 8 booths, World Snooker Star tables; a practice room with a further four tables and a superb purpose built 450 seater match arena, complete with television facilities, commentary boxes and tiered spectator seating.
Drago and his 18 fellow On Q Promotions players, including Jimmy White, Stephen Lee, Dominic Dale, and up and coming young star Jak Jones, who won the European Under 19 championships in Qawra, Malta in March, all practice regularly at the Academy. But it’s not just for those players, any player from anywhere in the world is able to book a day, week, month or a whole season’s residency at the academy.
Young aspiring players get the chance to practice with the leading stars such as Drago or White, but also with the other up and coming youngsters who are honing their skills at the Gloucester facility. Coaching is also available from EBSA Accredited Coaches.
Germany’s Patrick Einsle and Brazil’s Igor Figueiredo, both on the professional this season, were the first two players to book in and take up season-long residency in one of the Academy’s houses, which are available to all visiting players.
Any player wishing to book with the Academy can visit the website (www.southwestsnookeracademy.com) or email direct to Sarah Mount [sarah.mount@onqpromotions.co.uk] for more information.