Jack Lisowski ‘buzzing’ after progressing into the Welsh Open Semi-Final

JACK Lisowski says “it would mean everything” to win his first ranking title after progressing into the semi-final of the Welsh Open.

‘The Jackpot’ booked his place into the last four of the competition after beating Ali Carter 5-4 in an intense encounter.

Speaking after his win, Lisowski said: “That was one of my biggest buzzes since being a professional, everything started going in and it was a good break at the end.”

“I was developing balls, and everything was flying. To beat Ali [Carter] in a decider was very satisfying as I know how hard it is.”

After the first four frames, the match was tied at the interval, but it easily could’ve been 3-1 to Lisowski. During the interval, the 30-year-old said he was kicking himself after missing the opportunity:

“I was thinking about the fourth frame where I threw that one away, it hurt me in a little way to go into the interval at 2-2 instead of 3-1.”

“Ali then grew with that, I went backwards, and then he was the stronger player, so I knew I had to change something.”

After the interval Carter went 4-2 up, but Lisowski stayed focused and pulled two frames back, before rounding off the decider with an impressive break of 135.

Lisowski said the change of his fortunes came when he made a minor adjustment towards the grip of his cue: “I felt I was too close to the ball, so I held the cue back a quarter of an inch further back, which is something I’ve never really done, but I just tried it, and everything started going in.”

“So that’s the answer now if you’re struggling, just hold your cue further back and you’ll be flying.” Joked Lisowski.

Speaking on his opponent, Carter, Lisowski said he sees a lot of himself in him: “I feel like we are very similar players, I feel we are a similar standard as well like he plays a similar game to me where we just go for our shots.”

“He is definitely better tactically than me, but I feel like I might have a little more edge on the potting, so when you put them two together it is always going to be a close game.”

“Hopefully I can learn and get my game a little more like his, because I am a little bit rash, and I am still trying to reign that in.”

The Cheltenham born star will compete at his first Welsh Open semi-final against either Ricky Walden or Joe Perry, who face off later tonight in the last remaining quarter final.

Previewing the semi-final, Lisowski said

“It is definitely easy playing someone like Joe or Ricky for me and it’ll be easy for them playing someone like me instead of Judd or Neil, that are always at this point of the tournament.”

“It is a really big game for both of us, whoever it is going to be.”

Lisowski concluded: “I am looking forward to it, I am happy to be here. It would mean everything [to win the Welsh Open].”