Malta's Tony Drago made a sensational recovery yesterday to beat 58th ranked David Morris 5-4, thus earning a place in the 3rd qualifying round of the Shanghai Masters tournament.

The Valletta-born player confirmed his recent progress with a splendid performance yesterday as he set up a clash with 45th ranked Marcus Campbell today. He had advanced to the second round after being awarded a walkover China’s Li Hang in the first round.

Drago had been 3-1 in arrears at the end of the first session as Morris seemed to be the more accurate of the two. And at the start of the second and final session, it seemed as if Morris was on his way to a comfortable victory as he won the fifth frame to take what then seemed to be a commanding 4-1 lead.

But Drago had other ideas and the Maltese player stormed back onto the scene as he won three frames in quick succession to level the tie at 4-4.

The final frame was tense and close. Both players defended throughout the frame but Drago obtained the breakthrough after potting the green. He went on to clear the brown, blue and pink to send Morris packing.