Jack Lisowski overcomes controversy over free ball to beat Stuart Bingham at Welsh Open - 'He does not look impressed'
Published 27/02/2026 at 20:12 GMT
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Jack Lisowski eased his way into the semi-finals of the Welsh Open with a 5-2 victory over Stuart Bingham on Friday afternoon, but it was not smooth sailing for the Northern Ireland Open champion as he had to overcome a moment of controversy at Venue Cymru in Llandudno. Watch and stream the 2025/26 snooker season, including the Welsh Open, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Referee changes mind on free ball after Bingham intervention
Video credit: TNT Sports
Jack Lisowski shrugged off a moment of controversy to see off Stuart Bingham in their quarter-final clash at the Welsh Open.
Lisowski, who remains in the hunt to pick up the BetVictor Home Nations Series bonus, was imperious in racing into a 4-0 lead at the interval at Venue Cymru.
Bingham was way short of his best, but won two frames on the spin upon the resumption to set nerves jangling in the Lisowski camp.
In the seventh, Lisowski worked a decent lead and had Bingham in trouble. His attempted escape failed to make contact with a red, and when the white came to a halt, referee Julian Bell awarded a free ball to Lisowski.
With the balls well placed, the winning line was in sight for Lisowski, but Bingham asked for the referee to check again. Both players got down and had a look, at which point Bell confirmed his original ruling.
Bingham asked Bell to look again, urging him to put a red ball on the table next to the black to check if it would pass.
After a third look, Bell elected to change his mind and withdraw the award of a free ball.
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"Changed his mind, which he is entitled to do," Joe Johnson said on commentary on TNT Sports.
David Hendon was alongside Johnson in the commentary box, and he added: "I don’t know what Jack will think of all this. He was given a free ball, and hadn’t made his feelings known on it. He hasn’t said whether he agrees or not, but he does not look impressed with all of that."
Despite the controversy, Lisowski was able to settle, and he closed out the win a few shots later. He is now one win away from pipping Mark Allen to the £150,000 bonus.
Lisowski happy with upturn in form
After claiming a maiden title at the Northern Ireland Open in October, Lisowski’s form dipped a shade.
He battled past Louis Heathcote and Xiao Guodong earlier in the week to build some confidence in Llandudno.
"I have had a few quiet months, but have worked really hard this week," Lisowski said on TNT Sports. "I managed to scrape through the first two matches, and have started to play some better stuff, and into the semi-finals now."
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‘Dashing break’ - Lisowski increases lead with century
Video credit: TNT Sports
Lisowski has admitted to being at a low ebb when he was brushed aside by Mark Selby at the Players Championship.
"I was gone," Lisowski said. "I was really struggling.
"It is a really busy period in the season, you play one tournament, and then go to China and are away for eight or nine days. You are not practising properly, and then it is another tournament. It is hard to build some confidence when you are struggling."
Lisowski has spoken about the need to try and bring consistency to his game.
He said: "I think the disparity between my top game, and when I am struggling, is probably as big as anyone on tour.
"I feel like I am not struggling, but it is not as easy as it was in Northern Ireland. There is more to come."
Watch and stream the 2025/26 snooker season, including the Welsh Open, live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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