Lisowski left disappointed after last-eight loss

JACK LISOWSKI’S first appearance in a Betway UK Championship quarter-final ended in defeat after being comprehensively outplayed by Zhou Yuelong in Milton Keynes.

Churchdown’s Lisowski was enjoying his best run in one of snooker’s Triple Crown events but it came to an abrupt end in Friday’s last eight, going down 6-4 to the talented Chinese potter.

Pundits have called Lisowski’s consistency into question in recent weeks, with top form once again escaping him in the latter stages of a big competition.

And while admitting disappointment at failing to find his best, the world number 16 remained pleased with his performances prior to elimination.

“It was a bit of a collapse, I didn’t play very well and my game fell apart a little bit, but it is what it is and I’m happy with how the week has gone,” he said.

“I’d have definitely taken this at the start of the week so there are no complaints from me.

“I showed some fight but my game was so bad that I wasn’t able to take my chances.

“I lost a bad third frame, that felt quite big and I messed it up, I was chasing the game after that and my performance wasn’t really good enough.

“I was lucky not to lose 6-1 or 6-0. Zhou is a calm player and that very much suits snooker, he’s pretty mature for his age.”

Lisowski won the opening frame but lost the next four to find himself up against the action.

He was able to pull the game back to 5-4 but his Chinese opponent held on in a tense final frame to go into Saturday’s semi-finals, where he lost to eventual tournament winner Neil Robertson.

But Lisowski’s efforts in the event clinched his place in the Masters at Alexandra Palace in January, and he will face world number five Kyren Wilson in the opening round on Sunday January 10 at 7pm.