World number nine Stephen Lee is looking favourite to book his place in the last 16 of the Embassy World Championship having taken a commanding 6-3 lead over Maltese star Tony Drago.

Stephen Maguire has passed one of the toughest tests of his career to nail down a place in the Embassy World Championship at the Crucible next month.

Paul Hunter played through the pain barrier to finally record his first victory of 2005 at the Fáilte Ireland Irish Masters today.

Chinese teenager Ding Jun Hui is feeling confident ahead of the biggest match of his fledgling snooker career in Brighton as he faces Jimmy White tonight.

Stephen Hendry began his new snooker campaign with a fortuitous win in Preston tonight.

Drew Henry was heading home despite reaching the second round of the Daily Record Players Championship in Glasgow tonight.

JOHN HIGGINS was a man in a hurry as he swept into the second round of the Irish Masters in just 53 minutes yesterday.

John Higgins was a man in a hurry as he swept into the second round of the Irish Masters in just 53 minutes today.

Jimmy White roared into his first major final in four years with a thrilling 6-4 victory over local hero Tony Drago at the European Open in Malta tonight.

Ten years ago, when big-time pro-snooker first arrived on Maltese shores, Tony Drago ended the tournament in a flood of tears.

Barry Pinches, the surprise package of the circuit this season, pulled off a last gasp victory over Maltese number one Tony Drago to reach the second round of the Welsh Open at Cardiff today.

Jimmy White will not expect to be detained very long when he makes his entrance in the British Open at the Brighton Centre tonight.

A player once described as a certain future world champion by no less a judge than Stephen Hendry takes on Ronnie O’Sullivan at the British Open in Brighton tonight, determined to extend the Rocket’s barren spell.

Sparks will fly at the Brighton Centre when Tony Drago takes on Jimmy White in the second round of the British Open.

Peter Ebdon needed just 22 minutes this morning to take his place in the Embassy World Championship quarter-finals.

Peter Ebdon can expect a verbal blast from Tony Drago when the duo complete their acrimonious second round match in the Embassy World Championship tomorrow.

Ireland's Joe Swail leads Tony Drago 8-6 at the Crucible tonight.

JIMMY WHITE has a mountain to climb today if he is to remain in the Embassy World Championship. The six-times Crucible runner-up faces a 6-3 deficit against Thailand’s James Wattana.

Rory McLeod set up a dream meeting with his idol by beating Malta’s Tony Drago 5-3 in the first round of the £597,200 (€86,500) Regal Scottish Open in Edinburgh.

World number one Ronnie O’Sullivan was forced to a deciding frame in the Welsh Regal Open for the second match in succession before booking his quarter-final place.

Stephen Hendry has booked a place in the last 16 of the Regal Scottish Open after beating Tony Drago in Aberdeen last night.

Stephen Hendry kept his frustrations in check just long enough to prevent Drew Henry producing the first major shock of this year's UK Championship in York.

Matthew Stevens produced a clinical display to open up a 4-0 lead over Tony Drago at the Embassy World Championship in Sheffield.