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Tony Drago has a message for Zhao Xintong - hands off my record! Drago retired from professional snooker in 2016 but will always be remembered by fans for his no holds barred approach to the game.

Although the Maltese star only won two major titles during his career, he does hold one other unusual distinction. Drago remains the very proud owner of the record for the fastest century in a televised match.

He achieved the feat against John Higgins at the 1996 UK Championship, knocking them in off the lampshades to score 100 points in just three minutes and 31 seconds. It takes longer to boil a kettle.

Ronnie O'Sullivan has come the closest to nicking Drago's place in the history books, but even he came up short by three seconds against Bai Langning at the Scottish Open four years ago.

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Will it ever be beaten? He doubts it, just don't tell reigning champion Xintong.

"I'm proud of having the fastest century break," Drago beams. "Ronnie missed it by a couple of seconds a few years ago but I always like to say - I was playing my normal rhythm.

"I wasn't going after any records but when Ronnie nearly did it he was running around the table because he wanted to break my record!"

"Of the current crop, I always thought if anyone was going to break it, it would be someone like Robert Milkins. However, he's slowed down now.

"I'll tell you who might do it because his cue ball control is so good - Zhao Xintong.

"He's so cool around the table but his shot time is about 15 or 16 seconds. If he gets on a roll and someone tells him about my record he might go for it!

"I hope no one tells him but I think he could be the one. Him or Thepchaiya Un-Nooh."

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