Malta’s Tony Drago was eliminated from the Malta Cup yesterday evening after a pulsating match against youngster Tom Ford who reached the last 16 thanks to a narrow 5-4 win.

Drago had a slow start as Tom Ford wrapped up the first two frames to take a 2-0 lead. But Drago hit back to win the third frame with the help of a 66 break and another clearance of 57 in the fourth enabled him to draw level before the break.

After the break, the two players missed a lot but neither of the two players really took up the chances although the two shared the frames until it was 4-4 with Ford missing an easy pink which should have given him a 5-3 win. Drago seized the chance, but then Ford remained cool to win the final and decisive frame.

Earlier, last year's winner Stephen Maguire made a winning start this year as he survived a scare from Joe Swail to triumph 5-4. After leading 2-0, he trailed 2-3 and then gave up a simple chance to win 5-3. He was struggling all the way in the final decisive frame before eventually winning it to reach the last 16.

Also through to that stage is Stephen Hendry, winner of the recent Welsh Open, who had an easy 5-1 win over Barry Hawkins.

Mike Dunn also reached the last 16 thanks to a second 5-0 win over David Gray. The day before he had whitewashed wild card entry Simon Zammit 5-0. He now faces Matthew Stevens.

Yesterday it was also announced that Quentin Hann had withdrawn from the tournament. As a result, world number one Ronnie O'Sullivan was through to the last 16 without even touching the green baize yet.

Today’s programme

4pm: Paul Hunter-Stuart Pettman; Graeme Dott-Adrian Gunnell.

8pm: Chris Small-T. Drago/T. Ford; Jimmy White-R. Milkins; Steve Davis-Jamie Burnett.