Mark Selby Triumphs Over Jack Lisowski in Telford Clash
Four-time world champion Mark Selby secured a 6-3 victory against Jack Lisowski at the Players Championship in Telford on Tuesday, but the match left him grappling with the enduring puzzle of his opponent's unpredictable performance style. While neither player showcased their absolute peak form, Selby managed to clinch the win with a standout clearance of 136 in the eighth frame, demonstrating his trademark precision under pressure.
Selby Questions Lisowski's Competitive Drive
Despite having suffered seven previous defeats to Lisowski, Selby openly admitted to sometimes wondering whether the flamboyant player is fully committed to winning during matches. "Obviously he's just so talented and he's so dangerous," Selby remarked. "You never know what you're going to get from him. Very, very similar to Ronnie [O'Sullivan]."
Selby elaborated on his observations, noting, "I don't mean it in a bad way, but when you were watching him there, at times I thought he looked like he just didn't want to be there, with some of the shots he was playing. But he is trying as hard as me out there, for sure."
The Jackpot's Attacking Style: A Double-Edged Sword
Lisowski, known for his ultra-aggressive approach, struggled to find his scintillating top form during the encounter. When his attacking game isn't firing on all cylinders, it can appear somewhat sloppy, a vulnerability that Selby exploited. The Jester from Leicester raced to a 3-0 lead, seemingly setting up a straightforward victory, but Lisowski mounted a brief resurgence to narrow the gap to 4-3 before Selby powered through to secure the match.
Selby emphasized the inherent challenge of consistency with such an offensive style. "To be consistent, I don't really think you can have that kind of game, I think you need an all-round game," he explained. "When you've got that kind of game you need to be playing well and let's be honest you're not going to be playing well every single day, nobody does."
Patience as the Key Missing Ingredient
One of Selby's greatest strengths is his immense patience, a quality he believes Lisowski could benefit from developing further. "I think with Jack, and he'll probably say so himself, I think a lot of the time with him it's just the patience," Selby observed. "Sometimes he just pushes the boat out a little bit when he probably could just be a bit more patient. But then that's what makes him so good to watch. He's so attacking."
Selby drew parallels between Lisowski and other attacking players like Thepchaiya Un-Nooh, highlighting the dilemma they face. "People say he's probably not won more because he's just so open and it's all or nothing. But if you take that away from him, he's probably not as dangerous to play. So it's a tough one."
Celebrating Lisowski's Breakthrough Victory
Despite the criticism, Selby expressed genuine happiness for Lisowski's long-awaited first ranking title at the Northern Ireland Open earlier in the season, a victory that thrilled snooker fans and fellow professionals alike. "I'm so happy for him that he won a ranking tournament earlier on in the season," Selby said. "I just hope he kicks on now and the floodgates open a little bit."
Selby acknowledged that Lisowski's raw talent and entertainment value are undeniable assets to the sport. "Sometimes you play him and you think you get a lot of chances and then other times he can just absolutely blow you away. But you know what, he's great for the game."
Looking Ahead to the Quarter-Finals
With this win, Selby advances to the quarter-finals of the Players Championship, where he will face Mark Allen on Friday night. Allen secured his spot in the last eight with a 6-3 victory over Wu Yize on Tuesday afternoon. The tournament continues with a packed schedule, featuring top players like Judd Trump, John Higgins, and Shaun Murphy competing for the prestigious title.
As the snooker world watches closely, the conversation around Jack Lisowski's potential remains as intriguing as ever. His explosive talent promises thrilling matches, but the quest for consistency continues to define his career trajectory.
