Tornado takes on Whirlwind this evening

Tony Drago successfully negotiated the first round of the British Open on Sunday night and set up a mouth-watering clash against fellow crowd favourite Jimmy White.

The Tornado produced some typically rapid break-building during a 5-2 defeat of Nigel Bond to book his place in the second round of the £450,000 event at the Brighton Centre. He will face the Whirlwind this evening.

"Jimmy and I are two old and boring players, but it should be a good atmosphere," joked the Maltese player, ranked 24.

"We last played at the Regal Welsh two years ago and it was a cracking match - he beat me 5-4.

"I can't wait to play him again, I wish it was starting in half an hour. But you've got to just concentrate on your game and play the table, rather than thinking about your opponent."

Drago went 3-0 up against Bond, knocking in breaks of 72 and 44. The 1996 British Open champion fought back to 3-2 with 72 and 62, but Drago added 53 and 69 to clinch victory.

"I started very well to go 3-0 up, then I kept Nigel under pressure," added the 38-year-old.

"I lost my first match in the LG Cup so I wanted to make sure I got a win on the board. I've been getting up early and practising a lot, and I feel good about my game."

Other first round results: King bt Pinches 5-0; M. Davis bt Milkins 5-3; Fu bt Hawkins 5-4; Dale bt Wallace 5-2; Murphy bt Harold 5-1; Hicks bt Parrott 5-4; Greene bt Carter 5-1; Holt bt Hamilton 5-2; Swail bt Bingham 5-1; Judge bt Hull 5-1.