Drago and Co. head south

Snooker's top players will be heading for the Mediterranean this weekend for the European Open at the Hilton Conference Centre in Portomaso, Malta, the World Snooker Association said yesterday on its website.

The tournament, which runs from March 1 to 6, is the fifth event of the LG Electronics Tour.

Ronnie O'Sullivan currently leads the Order of Merit and has his eyes on the £50,000 jackpot and the title of Tour Champion.

There are just two further events on the tour - the Irish Masters later this month and the Players Championship in April - so the race is on to gain points and displace O'Sullivan for the top spot.

Malta's favourite will be Tony Drago, the world no. 24 from Valletta.

Drago, dubbed 'The Tornado' has a huge following thanks to his flamboyant personality and style of play and receives particularly strong support in his home country.

"I'm really looking forward to what should be a great tournament and I hope I can play well," said Drago.

"Sometimes the crowd support can help you, although sometimes that can put extra pressure on you."

Drago faces Telford's Adrian Gunnell in his first match on Monday at 8 p.m.

"I haven't played Adrian before but I know he's a very strong player and he's had some good results recently," he added.

"I'm in with a chance of getting into the top 16 for next season but there are a lot of other players in with a chance and it's where you are at the end of the season that counts."

O'Sullivan is the defending champion, having beaten Stephen Hendry in last year's final.

The 2001 world champion takes on Hong Kong's Marco Fu in his first match on Monday at noon.

Matthew Stevens, Steve Davis and Ken Doherty are also in action on Monday.

Masters champion Paul Hunter enters the fray on Tuesday at 4 p.m. against Brian Morgan of Essex.

Also playing on Tuesday will be Hendry, John Higgins, Jimmy White and world champion Mark Williams.

Monday's matches

Noon - O'Sullivan vs Fu; Stevens vs Small; Perry vs Roe.

4 p.m. - S. Davis vs Swail; Lee vs Hull; Ebdon vs Maguire.

8 p.m. - Drago vs Gunnell; Gray vs O'Brien; Doherty vs Robertson.