Maltese professional player Tony Drago was yesterday beaten and eliminated by England’s Andrew Norman in the qualifying round of the China Open being played in Shangai.

Norman beat the Maltese player 5-3. Twenty-five year old Andrew Norman, born in Bristol is currently ranked 59th in the world rankings.

Andrew Norman qualified for the final stages of a ranking tournament for the first time in his career at last season’s Welsh Open.

He beat Mike Hallett 5-1, Bjorn Haneveer 5-2 and Nick Dyson 5-3 to book his place at the venue.

He was a former England under-17 and under-21 champion. He also reached the third qualifying round of the Failte Ireland Irish Masters and finished the season up seven places in the rankings at No 72.

The Bristol professional, a former World Snooker Young Player of Distinction, reached the penultimate qualifying round of the Embassy World Championship in 2002 and 2003, losing to Robert Milkins then Ian McCulloch.