Mark Allen displayed sportsmanship despite losing out on the Home Nations Series bonus to Jack Lisowski. Allen humorously mentioned that he “cried himself to sleep” after missing the chance to win the £150,000 prize.
Lisowski staged a remarkable comeback, including a break of 78 in the final frame of his semi-final match against John Higgins, securing his position in the final and claiming the substantial prize money.
Although Allen was initially in a strong position to secure the cash prize, his defeat in the Welsh Open opened the door for his competitors to claim the bonus. Despite leading the rankings throughout the Home Nations campaign, Allen’s journey ended with a first-round loss to David Grace following his victory at the English Open and consecutive semi-final appearances in the Northern Ireland and Scottish Opens.
Among the few contenders who could challenge Allen for the jackpot, Lisowski seized the opportunity and received congratulations from Allen, who candidly expressed his disappointment on social media.
Lisowski, who was down 3-1 against Higgins but managed to rally back and secure a 6-5 victory, emphasized his determination to keep performing under pressure until he secured the win and the prize money. Reflecting on his winning break, Lisowski highlighted his focus on potting balls continuously until he heard applause, acknowledging the difficulty of the shots he made under pressure.
Looking ahead to the final against Barry Hawkins, Lisowski acknowledged the need to maintain focus and continue performing at a high level. He emphasized the importance of staying motivated and committed to the competition.
The upcoming final between Lisowski and Hawkins promises to be an exciting match as both players aim to deliver their best performances on Sunday.
