Snooker icon Tony Drago says new world champion Luca Brecel is one of just a handful of players that he likes to watch, hailing the Belgian’s stunning style of play at the Crucible.
Brecel’s fluent, attacking game was too much for Ricky Walden, Mark Williams, Ronnie O’Sullivan, Si Jiahui and Mark Selby in Sheffield this year, as he stunned the world to lift the trophy.
A three-time ranking event winner and top 16 player, Brecel was not a rank outsider, but having not won a match at the Crucible previously and being rated at 50/1 for the title, not many were tipping him for glory.
Drago is a huge fan though, with the Tornado famed for his rapid and aggressive style of play, it is no surprise he appreciates the Belgian.
‘Fantastic to win it, but to win it playing that kind of snooker. Who’s not going to enjoy watching Luca play like that?’ Drago told the BBC at the World Seniors Snooker Championship this week.
‘I’ve known Luca from the start. I’ve seen his father and mother, the journey, I know how hard they worked to get him there.
‘Good luck to Luca and to all the family. He’s a great champion. So fantastic, and so exciting to watch.
‘He’s one of four or five players today that when he’s playing I’ll watch. I’ve got a reputation that I watch a lot of snooker but I don’t watch as much as I used to, but when Luca’s playing, I always watch.’
When it was suggested that Brecel may even be as fast as he used to be, Drago wasn’t quite having that.
‘I don’t know about that, but he’s fast,’ said the Maltese Falcon.
The 57-year-old opened his World Seniors campaign with a 3-0 win over Canadian Vito Puopolo in short order, looking as pacey as ever around the table.
He will have a stiffer test next up against Mark Davis in the quarter-finals.
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