Drago goes down 5-4 in tense decider

Shokat Ali won a tense deciding frame on the colours to edge Tony Drago out of the Welsh Open at Newport on Monday.

Pakistan No.1 Ali was pulled back from 3-0 to 4-4 by Malta's Drago but eventually sealed his place in the last 32 of the world ranking event against Hong Kong's Marco Fu.

A top break of 71 helped Lancashire-based Ali to the first three frames, then world no.22 Drago got one back with a 65. He doubled the pink to win frame five and added the next on the colours for 3-3.

Ali regained the lead with a 42 then Drago levelled again with a 68. Both players missed chances in the final frame and it came down to a safety battle on the brown.

Drago, trailing by 18 points, missed a mid-range pot to a top corner and his opponent slotted home brown and blue to clinch victory.

"I should have been 4-1 up but I let him off the hook a couple of times," said 24-year-old Ali, a former Asian Games golden medallist. "I was really pleased to win because it's a vital result for me.

"I'm right on the borderline in terms of keeping my place on the Tour so I'm under a lot of pressure and I need to do well in the last few events of the season."

Yesterday, Ali failed to maintain his run in the Welsh Open after he was eliminated from the second round by Fu 5-2.

Second round results: Ebdon bt Perry 5-4; Gray bt Lawler 5-1.