Jack Lisowski pips Mark Allen to Home Nations Series bonus with epic comeback win over John Higgins in Welsh Open semi-finals

Jack Lisowski had the BetVictor Home Nations Series bonus in his sights when he stepped into the arena at Venue Cymru on Saturday, and he kept his nerve to take down five-time Welsh Open champion John Higgins in a deciding frame to deny Mark Allen. Watch and stream the 2025/26 snooker season, including the Welsh Open, live on TNT Sports and discovery+

Jack Lisowski produced snooker of the highest order under massive pressure to beat John Higgins and pocket the £150,000 BetVictor Home Nations Series bonus.

Mark Allen went into the Welsh Open in pole position to scoop the pot after his win at the English Open, and runs to the semi-finals of the Northern Ireland Open and Scottish Open.

However, he crashed out of the Welsh Open in the first round to David Grace, which opened the door for a number of players to topple him.

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Lisowski was the final player in line after advancing to the semi-finals. Victory in the last four on Saturday would take him ahead of Allen, and he pulled off a major heist in taking down Higgins 6-5.

He told TNT Sports after his win over Stuart Bingham in the quarter-finals that the bonus was on his mind, but he would go out and look to play the match on its merits.

On Saturday, Lisowski looked extremely nervous - which was evidenced early in the match by a red that failed to touch the jaws of the right corner and the same when he attempted a yellow. 

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Higgins punished Lisowski’s mistakes, as he pinched frames three and four to take a lead into the interval.

Five-time Welsh Open champion, Higgins left the arena at the mid-session interval with a steely look on his face after picking off the colours to take the fourth.

But he returned after the break and was largely consigned to his chair as Lisowski produced the sort of snooker that propelled him to a maiden tournament win at the Northern Ireland Open.

Breaks of 95, 79 and 138 saw him move from 3-1 behind to 4-3 in front.

'What a pot' - Lisowski sinks red from jaws of pocket

Video credit: TNT Sports

Higgins, who had been imperious in the early exchanges, responded with an 82, but Lisowski restored his lead with a run of 58.

It was not clear at that point whether Allen was watching on from home - he was at the darts in Belfast on Thursday, so he was not all-consumed by the snooker - but if he did, he was treated to a nerve-shredding experience as Higgins comprehensively took the 10th to force a deciding frame.

The 11th frame was all about Lisowski, as TNT Sports commentator Philip Studd said, "given the context, that is one of the finest breaks you will ever see" as he produced an imperious run of 78 to win the match, seal his place in the final and the bonus pot.

Allen was quick to offer congratulations to Lisowski on social media.

'I felt shackled'

Lisowski was in high spirits as he made his way to the TNT Sports studio, and reflected on his winning break.

"I was thinking just pot, don’t stop potting until you hear them clapping," Lisowski said. "I had some stinkers, some angle shots you don’t want when there is a lot of pressure on it. They were going in, and I was playing some really good stuff.

"I hit some good shots."

'Spellbinding snooker' - Lisowski picks off rapid century

Video credit: TNT Sports

Looking back on how things changed after the interval, Lisowski added: "I felt like I could not get anything going, and I was playing the occasion.

"I was being stupid, really. I was in my shell and I just felt shackled. So I figured just get out there and open the balls."

After picking up a cheque for £150,000, Lisowski will now turn his focus to a final with Barry Hawkins on Sunday.

"You win one, and you have to go again," Lisowski said. "It is the same for everyone."

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Watch and stream the 2025/26 snooker season, including the Welsh Open, live on TNT Sports and discovery+

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