Disappointing start for Maltese players

Maltese players Tony Drago and Alex Borg experienced a difficult start in the Malta Cup after suffering heavy defeats in their opening group matches at the Hilton Conference Centre yesterday.

Drago opened his Group Three commitments against Shaun Murphy. The Maltese professional found the going tough against the defending champion who compiled breaks of 45, 43 and a 110 for a comprehensive 6-0 win.

The world number three was delighted with his opening day victory.

"It's good to start with a win," reflected Murphy, who beat Welshman Ryan 9-4 in last year's final.

"Even when you get to four frames and you've won the match, it's important to carry on and try and win the next two because those frames could come in handy at the end of the week.

"It was nice to make a century in the last frame, to finish well and give the crowd something to smile about.

"The defending champion against the local favourite was obviously a great crowd-puller, so it was nice to see the arena well-attended.

"It was nice to come into a crowd who were very respectful of my play, but who also wanted to see Tony play well. It was a good match."

Murphy won a scrappy opening frame, before clinching the second 88-43.

The 25-year-old went 3-0 ahead thanks to a run of 45 in the next frame, before he won the next with a 31 clearance.

A break of 43 in the next frame, followed by his century in the last made sure of a solid, if not spectacular start.

In Group One, Borg was up against John Higgins and the world champion got off his campaign off to a flying start when recording a 6-0 win.

Despite the scoreline Higgins found his first match a bit of struggle.

"It was scrappy out there, I found it quite difficult. With Alex he pots lots of great balls but he's probably not used to playing in the big arena so that was the difference really," admitted Higgins.

Both players took time to settle, evidenced by the opening two frames lasting over an hour.

But after that the world no.1 started to find his range despite his lack of practise.

"I've been doing a few exhibitions with Mark Selby and other bits and pieces but not a lot of practise.

"I'll try and do well in this tournament and play better. Your going to have to play really well to come out of the groups so that's my aim. It's good match practise," said Higgins, who had runs of 62, 51 and 53.

In the group's other match today, Ryan Day and Joe Perry produced the first draw in this year's Malta Cup.

The invitational event is a round robin format with two points for a win and one for a draw.

Last year's runner-up Day has high hopes of repeating his success.

"We both struggled a bit at the start. It's a different format you've got to keep an eye on the other results. With the short format and top players there's no easy group.

"It's nice to play in Malta, a relaxed atmosphere and the hotel is fantastic," said Day.

Day took the first with a 54 but Perry responded by taking the next two but the Pontycymmer potter looked to be heading for victory when he compiled runs of 83 and a terrific clearance of 78.

But the spoils were shared when Perry knocked in a 74.

Battling Hendry

Former Malta Cup winner Stephen Hendry showed character to fight back from 2-0 down to beat new Masters champion Mark Selby 4-2 in their opening match.

Selby had breaks of 127 and a run of 70. But Scotland's Hendry, winner of the world championship on seven occasions during a glittering career, rallied with breaks of 103, 64, 42 and 67 to complete a splendid win.

Neil Robertson impressed with a 5-1 victory over Wiltshire cueman Stephen Lee in his Group Two opener.

Ken Doherty continued the recent run he enjoyed at the Masters with an excellent 4-2 victory over Marco Fu.

Doherty had found himself 2-0 down. But the Irishman then battled back with runs of 30 and 47 before a 79 levelled the match and having taken the fifth frame he signed off in style with a 127 clearance.

Yesterday's Results

Group One - Higgins vs Borg 6-0; Perry vs Day 3-3.
Group Two - Doherty vs Fu 4-2; Robertson vs Lee 5-1.
Group Three - Murphy vs Drago 6-0; Hendry vs Selby 4-2.
Group Four - Dott vs Dale 2-4; Ebdon vs Junhui 2-4.

Today's Programme

Noon - Doherty vs Lee; Swail vs Fu.
2 p.m. - Maguire vs Drago; Murphy vs Selby.
6 p.m. - Dott vs Junhui; Williams vs Dale.
8 p.m.- Higgins vs Day; Carter vs Borg.