Ebdon beats Drago 13-5

Holder Peter Ebdon moved into the quarter-finals of the World Snooker Championship with a 13-5 win over Malta's Tony Drago after a row over how long he spent during a toilet break.

Resuming with an 11-5 lead, Ebdon sealed victory by winning the opening two frames of the final session in less than half an hour.

"It was a very scrappy match but I'm pleased to be in the quarter-finals," said Ebdon.

Ebdon was at the centre of controversy on Friday night when he annoyed Drago by playing slower than normal and leaving the arena for an extended toilet break.

Drago conceded the 15th frame in frustration with seven reds still remaining even though he was only 31-12 down after missing an easy pink ball.

Following assurances from his coach, Chris Henry, to Drago that he had been suffering from diarrhoea, Ebdon insisted: "I certainly didn't go out of my way to upset Tony.

"I have known him for 17 years and have got the utmost respect for him.

"Tony was the resident professional at King's Cross Snooker Club when I was an amateur. I owe a tremendous amount of gratitude to him for even bothering to practise with me as a kid and allowing me to learn from him."

Drago was happy to accept the explanation. He said: "Chris Henry said he had diarrhoea. If Peter had said that to me, I'd have offered him time off. At the time it annoyed me but if he wasn't well it's not his fault.

Stephen Hendry overcame a stiff challenge from qualifier Drew Henry to reach the quarter-finals on Friday night. Henry came back from 7-4 down to take a 10-9 lead.

But Hendry drew on his experience to take an 11-10 lead with a 130 break. He then claimed the next two frames to seal a 13-10 win.

Other results: Higgins bt Storey 13-7; Fu leads McManus 5-3; Dott leads Doherty 5-1; Lee beat White 13-11.