Jack Lisowski on run to Welsh Open last 16: 'My game is not where I'd like it to be, not going to throw the towel in'
Updated 26/02/2026 at 11:28 GMT
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Jack Lisowski is through to the third round of the Welsh Open, but speaking to TNT Sports after his 4-3 win over Xiao Guodong, gave an honest assessment of his game and his search for form. Lisowski finally became a ranking event winner when he won the Northern Ireland Open in October, but has struggled to build on his maiden title, and appeared frustrated during Wednesday's victory.
'It can be pretty tough' - Lisowski says 'my game is not where I'd like it to be'
Video credit: TNT Sports
Despite reaching the last 16 of the Welsh Open and in the race for the Home Nations bonus, Jack Lisowski gave a critical assessment of his game following Wednesday's 4-3 victory over Xiao Guodong.
Lisowski has played 13 frames of snooker over his first two matches in Llandudno, and appeared frustrated during his win against Xiao, particularly when he went 2-1 behind, thumping the cue ball so hard it flew off the table, and he briefly left the stage.
He won the final three frames, during which he compiled his highest break of the match at 83, to secure his place in the third round.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, Lisowski was honest in his assessment of his form.
"I’m happy, just plodding along. Currently, just trying to find a bit of form. My game is not where I’d like it to be, it’s quite frustrating to be out there sometimes," Lisowski said. "But I’m battling away. I’ve won two games now. I could quite easily have lost.
"It’s a weird game. Sometimes it’s a bit of confidence. I’m just trying to search for something. I’ve practiced again today. I did two hours last night, trying to find something.
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'I just feel for him' - McManus says good form will return to 'nicest boy' Lisowski
Video credit: TNT Sports
"For me, snooker is like two different games. When I’m flying, it’s so much fun, I feel like I can pot anything and put the white ball anywhere.
"When I’m not, sometimes when I’m struggling, the distance between my good game and bad game is probably as wide as any other pro. It can be pretty tough for me out there."
Asked whether coach Chris Henry has helped with the mental side of the game, Lisowski replied: "He’s helped me kind of stick in there. I’ve got a few good people in my corner.
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"I’m trying, I’m not going to throw the towel in," he added. "But it’s deflating when I know I’m not anywhere near what I’m capable of at the moment. So I’m just plugging away, trying to find something."
Lisowski was widely considered the best player on the snooker tour to have never won a ranking title before he triumphed at the Northern Ireland Open in October. It was an emotional triumph for Lisowski, who had mourned the loss of his father earlier in the year.
Since his Belfast title, Lisowski has struggled to impose his game - which usually comprises audacious and eccentric long pots - with early exits in the Scottish Open, German Masters and World Grand Prix.
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‘Not a happy man’ – Watch as Lisowski smashes cue ball off table with ‘wild’ swipe
Video credit: TNT Sports
McManus: Lisowski will be back to his best
TNT Sports expert Alan McManus is confident Lisowski will return to his best, and hopes that is the case for a player he describes as the "nicest" on the snooker tour.
Commenting on the 34-year-old smashing the cue ball during Wednesday's victory, McManus said: "There’s no malice, no anger, he’s just in a difficult place. We know he’s had a difficult last eight months or so.
"I just feel for him, [he's] the nicest boy out here. He’s in the last 16 almost by accident, because he’s not really on it at the moment.
"But he has good people around him, and that’s important. His game will come back to its best, but when he’s able to find that, he’s still searching."
Despite his self-confessed struggles, Lisowski is still very much in the race for the Home Nations bonus of £150,000.
The Welsh Open marks the final Home Nations event, with the bonus winner to be crowned after the week's action in Llandudno.
| Home Nations bonus | Player | Winnings |
| 1. | Mark Allen | £142,000 |
| 2. | Chris Wakelin | £110,800 |
| 3. | Jack Lisowski | £109,000 |
| 4. | Zhou Yuelong | £79,200 |
| 5. | Judd Trump | £54,000 |
With Mark Allen and Chris Wakelin having exited at the first hurdle, Lisowski has the opportunity to usurp both to the top of the table.
But McManus feels that is not important to him.
"That little chat with Jack post-match, I didn’t even want to touch on it," McManus said. "It felt to me, it’s not important to him right now.
"That would be a bonus, he just wants to find a way to express the talent he clearly has. He wants to feel good, and that will take a little bit of time. He’s had a tough time."
Lisowski will face either Chang Bingyu or Jackson Page for a place in the quarter-finals.
Watch and stream the 2025/26 snooker season, including the Welsh Open, live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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