Current World Pool Masters champion Tony Drago claimed victory and the £1000 first prize at the
Guildford Open on Sunday 4th July 2004 at Rileys Guildford, beating Lee Chenman 11-4 in the
final. Tony was faced with the daunting task of overcoming a fired-up
Chenman, who had battled his way through
some very high quality players to earn his first-ever final appearance
in a ranking event. Lee, who had overcome Mikey Kay,
Stewart Colclough, Paul Medati and Martinho Correia leading up to the
final, had difficulty finding his rhythm against Drago
who was firing balls in at his customary 'blink-and-you'll-miss-it'
pace.
Drago had cruised through the first day's double elimination stage
undefeated, but once into the straight knock-out on the second day did
not have an easy run to the final. His first two games on Sunday were
against Jay Trivedi and David Walsh, both top 5 players, and he had to
come back from a 5-1 deficit against Mike Berry in the semi-final. The
9-7 result meant Berry got two racks closer to beating Drago than anyone
else had. However, Drago looked focused and ready to go against Chenman,
reeling off rack after effortless rack.
He had obviously been putting in a great deal of work on his break as he
was getting that wonderful 'pop' that is the trademark of
so many world class players. 'The Tornado' this week flies to Taipei for
the World Pool Championships, where he will be hoping to get even
further than the semi-final stage, which he achieved last year, and on
the form he showed this weekend, he looks to have every chance.
Finishing 3rd - 4th were Mike Berry and Martinho Correia. Martinho had
spectators reaching for the oxygen and covering
their eyes throughout Sunday as he battled through a series of thrilling
matches that all seemed to end on the hill! He won 9 - 8
against Mark Stephenson and Wayne Lloyd, then went down 9 - 8 to Lee
Chenman after scratching on the 7. Martinho may be the
most consistent player in the country right now having had one quarter
final, two semi finals, and one final in the last four events
he has entered.
Quarter-final finishers were Daryl Peach, Mike Rogers, Wayne Lloyd and Paul Medati.
The rest of the last 16 were John Wims, Norman Kay, David Walsh, Gareth Esprit,
Mark Stephenson, Dean Mazirel, Suk Gohil and Stewart Colclough.
Visit our rankings section for the updated ranking list.
All in all, another very successful event by the BPPPA. The next tour
stop is in Basildon on the 31st July so we will see you all
there!
