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 £150,000 prize.
Lisowski staged a remarkable comeback, including a break of 78 in the deciding frame of his semi-final against John Higgins, securing the six-figure sum for himself.
Although Allen was initially in a strong position to claim the cash reward, he faltered in the Welsh Open, allowing one of his competitors to seize the opportunity. Allen had maintained the top spot in the rankings since the beginning of the Home Nations series.
After winning the English Open in September and reaching the semi-finals of both the Northern Ireland and Scottish Opens, Allen suffered a first-round defeat to David Grace in Wales, ending his winning streak.
Lisowski, one of four players capable of overtaking Allen in the rankings, capitalized on the opportunity presented to him. While Allen congratulated Lisowski, it was undoubtedly a bitter pill for him to swallow.
Expressing his thoughts on social media, Allen praised Lisowski’s performance and humorously lamented his second-place finish, stating it was the fourth time in six years. Lisowski rallied from behind against Higgins to secure the victory and the prize money, emphasizing his determination to keep potting balls until the win was sealed.
Reflecting on his winning break, Lisowski mentioned his strategy of staying focused on potting balls and not letting the pressure affect his game. He acknowledged hitting some challenging shots but credited his composure and solid gameplay for the victory.
Looking ahead to the final against Barry Hawkins, Lisowski emphasized the need to stay focused and maintain momentum, acknowledging the competitive nature of the sport.
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