Malta’s Tony Drago lost his first match yesterday in the world championship being held in Manila, The Philippines.

He was beaten 8-6 by Liu Cheng-chuan of Taipei in an exciting match which was televised.

Drago is in Group 24 of the 128-man championship which includes players from several of the world’s countries. His other opponents will be Jeremy Jones of the United States and Ceri Worts of New Zealand who met in the other match yesterday with Jones winning easily 8-2.

Drago is to meet Jones on Monday and Worts on Tuesday.