Ebdon takes 11-5 lead against nervy Drago

Defending champion Peter Ebdon moved within two frames of a place in the last eight of the Embassy World Championship yesterday by dominating the second session against a frustrated Tony Drago.

The two players began locked at 4-4 but Ebdon won seven out of eight frames yesterday at the Crucible and looks certain to secure a quarter-final meeting against Paul Hunter or Matthew Stevens when he resumes against Drago today.

Quick-fire potter Drago struggled to find any rhythm as Ebdon dictated the pace of the match. The Tornado let his fragile temperament get the better of him in frame 15 when he missed a simple pink and impulsively conceded the frame despite trailing just 12-31 with plenty of reds on the table.

The world No.29 was clearly irritated by his opponent's unhurried approach. He shook his head and looked at his watch when Ebdon left the arena after that penultimate frame, then offered ironic applause when he returned.

Ebdon earlier won the first two frames, then Drago responded with a break of 107 to make it 6-5. Things went downhill for the man from Valletta as Ebdon won five consecutive frames with runs of 72, 44, 54 and 105 to make it 11-5.

Meanwhile, Jimmy White made a solid start against Stephen Lee and will take a 5-3 lead into today's second session.

White lifted a weight off his shoulders by winning his first round match which was vital to his hopes of retaining his top 16 place. He is playing with more freedom now and was in sharp form against seventh seed Lee.

A break of 63 gave the Londoner the first frame, then Lee levelled with a smooth 102. White had a chance in the third frame but missed a mid-range red and Lee knocked it in for a 2-1 lead.

In frame four, the six-times Crucible runner-up trailed 0-30 before knocking in a cool 69 to level the tie. White added three fragmented frames after the interval, then Lee finished off with a 125 to reduce the gap.

Results: Hendry bt Henry 13-10; Ebdon leads Drago 11-5; Higgins leads Storey 10-6; White leads Lee 5-3.