Mark Allen displayed sportsmanship in defeat after losing the Home Nations Series bonus to Jack Lisowski. Allen humorously mentioned that he “cried himself to sleep” when the £150,000 prize slipped through his fingers.
Lisowski staged an impressive comeback, highlighted by a stylish break of 78 in the crucial frame against John Higgins, securing his spot in the final and claiming the substantial prize.
Initially leading the rankings in the Home Nations campaign, Allen missed his chance to secure the cash prize after a disappointing performance at the Welsh Open, where he suffered an unexpected first-round defeat to David Grace.
Despite Allen’s early success with a victory at the English Open and consecutive semi-final appearances in the Northern Ireland and Scottish Opens, Lisowski seized the opportunity to challenge for the bonus, ultimately emerging victorious.
Acknowledging Lisowski’s achievement, Allen took to social media to congratulate him while expressing his disappointment at coming second for the fourth time in six years. He humorously added that he shed tears after posting his message.
In a tense match against Higgins, Lisowski trailed before mounting a comeback to eventually clinch the win. Lisowski shared his mindset during the winning break, emphasizing his determination to keep potting balls until the applause signaled his victory.
Looking ahead to the final against Barry Hawkins, Lisowski remains focused, highlighting the need to maintain momentum and readiness for the upcoming challenge.