Local favourite Lisowski in dramatic win

Local favourite Jack Lisowski came through a dramatic opening test against Mitchell Mann at the British Open, winning 4-3 on the final black to reach the last 32. 

Lisowski lives in Churchdown, just a few miles away from Cheltenham Racecourse, and the popular potter is sure to draw plenty of support if he can forge a deep run this week on home turf. He was pushed all the way by last year’s quarter-finalist Mann but finished strongly to set up a tie with Ishpreet Singh Chadha in the third round.

“It’s always good to play in front of my home crowd and it would be amazing to win it,” said Lisowski, who landed his first ranking title at the Northern Ireland Open last season. “I’m playing OK but I know I’ll have to get better.”

After losing the opening frame, Lisowski made a 104 for 1-1, then Mann compiled runs of 75 and 71 to go 3-1 ahead and he had chances to seal victory but couldn’t take them. Breaks of 88 and 53 helped Lisowski recover to 3-3, then in the decider he trailed 64-34 but laid a snooker on the last red which set up the chance for a 33 clearance.

Liam Davies enhanced his reputation as one of snooker’s best young British talents as he beat Barry Hawkins 4-2. The 20-year-old Welshman knocked out Ding Junhui and Gary Wilson on his way to the last 16 of the recent Wuhan Open, and he took another scalp tonight as breaks of 91, 64, 74 and 95 helped him to a fine win over world number ten Hawkins.

“I’ve been working with the psychologist Dr Tom Bates and that has really helped me keep the right attitude in matches,” said Davies. “When I get into positions to win I am trying to take them in one chance rather than scraping over the line. It’s a massive part of sport, particularly in snooker when you have a long time sitting in your chair and negative thoughts can creep in.”

Kyren Wilson enjoyed an impressive 4-1 win over Crucible king Wu Yize, while Zhang Anda edged out Chris Wakelin 4-3 after getting the better of a safety battle on the last red in the deciding frame.

Championship League winner Jak Jones was in superb form in a 4-0 win over last year’s runner-up Anthony McGill, knocking in breaks of 118, 131, 53 and 84. Chang Bingyu, who landed his first ranking title just three days ago at the Wuhan Open, kept his hot streak going with a 4-1 win over Chatchapong Nasa. 

Ding Junhui fired runs of 86 and 82 in a 4-0 defeat of Sean O’Sullivan, while Elliot Slessor enjoyed a 4-1 success against Jamie Clarke. Thailand’s Thanawat Tirapongpaiboon came from 3-1 down to beat Ali Carter 4-3, making a 76 in the decider.