SHEFFIELD (England), April 26: Holder Peter Ebdon moved into the quarterfinals of the World Snooker Championship with a 13-5 win over Malta’s Tony Drago after a row over how long he spent during a toilet break.

Resuming with an 11-5 lead, Ebdon sealed victory by winning the opening two frames of the final session in less than half an hour.

“It was a very scrappy match but I’m pleased to be in the quarter-finals,” said Ebdon.

Ebdon was at the centre of controversy on Friday night when he annoyed Drago by playing slower than normal and leaving the arena for an extended toilet break.

Drago conceded the 15th frame in frustration with seven reds still remaining even though he was only 31-12 down after missing an easy pink ball.

Following assurances from his coach, Chris Henry, to Drago that he had been suffering from diarrhoea, Ebdon insisted: “I certainly didn’t go out of my way to upset Tony.

Ebdon has been unhappy with the state of the tables at the Crucible.

Later on Saturday, Marco Fu of Hong Kong, who beat 2001 champion Ronnie O’Sullivan here, meets Alan McManus in another second round match and Sean Storey continues against 1998 world champion John Higgins. Scotsman Higgins leads 10-6.

Earlier, Stephen Hendry overcame a determined challenge from Scottish qualifier Drew Henry to reach the quarterfinals of the world snooker championship on Friday.

Henry came back from 7-4 down to take a surprise 10-9 lead. But Hendry, who has won the title a record seven times, drew on his experience to regain the advantage at 11-10 with a 130 break.

He then claimed the next two frames to seal a 13-10 win.

Hendry is second-favourite behind Mark Williams to win the tournament after Ronnie O’Sullivan’s surprise first-round exit. But the 34-year-old Scot insists it is still a strong field.

Hendry will now face either Mark Williams or Quinten Hann in the last eight. “When you get to the quarter-finals, that’s when the tournament really starts,” he said.

Second round results:

Peter Ebdon (England) beat Tony Drago (Malta) 13-5

Frame scores (Ebdon first): 0-69 19-93 79-21 32-79 69-14 70-52 69-41 44-70 70-25 70-19 1-112 92-38 74-49 77-44 31-12 105-0 72-25 84-0

John Higgins (Scotland) beat Sean Storey (England) 13-7

Frame scores (Higgins first): 76-39 122-0 107-1 41-59 93-23 32-94 137-0 135-1 65-2 9-90 0-104 75-21 76-30 85-0 51-65 72-73 87-39 30-59 68-1 74-23—Reuters