Tony Drago had a good start in the UK Championship qualifiers yesterday when he beat Liam Highfield 9-4.

The first session ended all square on 2-2. Drago won the first frame to take the lead, but Highfield responded by winning the next two to lead 2-1. Drago levelled at two-all by winning a dramatic fourth frame after needing the black twice.

In the second session, Drago stormed ahead giving his opponent no chance. In fact, he won the four frames to build a healthy 6-2 lead to carry into the third session.

Here Highfield seemed to be fighting back when he won the opening two frames to reduce the gap to 6-4, but Drago responded with two frames in a row to maintain his four-frame lead (8-4) before the final session.

As the final session started, Drago won the frame he needed to advance to the second round setting a meeting with Tom Ford.