Mark Allen showed sportsmanship in defeat as he narrowly missed out on the Home Nations Series bonus to Jack Lisowski. Playfully mentioning that he “cried himself to sleep” after the £150,000 prize eluded him.
Lisowski staged a remarkable comeback, including a stylish break of 78 in the final frame of his semi-final clash with John Higgins, securing his spot in the final and the substantial prize money.
Allen had been leading the race for the cash reward but faltered in the Welsh Open, giving his competitors an opportunity to seize the jackpot. Despite starting strong in the Home Nations campaign, his journey was cut short with a first-round loss to David Grace after previous successes at the English Open, Northern Ireland Open, and Scottish Open.
With only four players in contention for the bonus, Lisowski capitalized on the situation, leaving Allen to graciously acknowledge his victory while feeling the disappointment.
Taking to social media, Allen commented on Lisowski’s performance, expressing his doubts about ever winning the bonus and revealing his lighthearted reaction to the situation.
In a tense match against Higgins, Lisowski battled back from a deficit to ultimately secure the win and the prize money, emphasizing his determination to keep potting balls until victory was achieved.
Reflecting on his performance, Lisowski highlighted his mindset shift during the match, acknowledging his initial struggles and the need to break free from self-imposed limitations to secure the win.
Looking ahead, Lisowski is now focused on the final showdown with Barry Hawkins, understanding the need to maintain momentum and continue performing at a high level in the upcoming match.