Jack Lisowski continues 'incredible week' with maiden 'very special' win over Ronnie O'Sullivan at International Championship
Updated 04/11/2025 at 17:07 GMT
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Jack Lisowski continued an "incredible week" as he picked up his first-ever win over Ronnie O'Sullivan in professional competition, just over a week after he won his maiden title at the Northern Ireland Open. Lisowski picked up a 6-5 win over 'The Rocket' to progress to the last 16 at the International Championship in in Nanjing, China, and faces Barry Hawkins next.
‘I was all over the place’ – Lisowski reacts after dramatic first win against O’Sullivan
Video credit: TNT Sports
Jack Lisowski picked up his first victory over Ronnie O'Sullivan, just over a week after his maiden title win to cap off an "incredible week."
The 34-year-old progressed to the last 16 of the International Championship after a 6-5 win over O'Sullivan, just over a week after winning the Northern Ireland Open.
It was his first win over O'Sullivan after previously losing four encounters - three of which he lost 6-1 - and Lisowski called the victory a "special achievement."
"Incredible week," Lisowski said proudly. "To win a title, that was the focus for about 10 or 15 years. Then to beat Ronnie is a very special achievement for any player. So to have done both of them in a week, I can't believe it.
"I can remember yesterday I won, I was playing alright, I was scoring quite heavy. Because I never look at the draw now. But then it's, 'Ah, you've got Ronnie next.' Part of you just goes, 'Oh'.
"It's kind of in his hands, if he turns up and plays lights out snooker, you're just a witness to the game. But yeah, I got 5-3 up, I was feeling pretty good, and then the wheels came off at the end, but I just carried myself over the line."
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Watch: Incredible deciding-frame drama as Lisowski beats O’Sullivan on final black
Video credit: TNT Sports
Lisowski hit breaks of 72 and 75 to take the lead twice early on, but O'Sullivan hit back each time.
Only after the interval did Lisowski take a commanding lead, going 4-2 up after efforts 113 and 88, only for O'Sullivan to climb back and cut the deficit once again with 87.
After taking a 5-3 lead and on the verge of wrapping up a comprehensive victory over arguably the greatest player of all time, Lisowski spurned several chances to get over the line.
Naturally, O'Sullivan punished his opponent's mistakes and dragged the match to a deciding frame, in which Lisowski finally prevailed.
Both players saw winning positions slip away from them, but Lisowski held his nerve and cleared from brown to black to seal victory.
"I just feel really tired now, it wore me out and I just sort of collapsed over the line. I got lucky when it mattered at the end a few times," the winner admitted.
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"I was doing alright until 5-3 up, and then I just started thinking, 'I might beat Ronnie here,' and obviously it's such a big deal, since I was a child I've watched him.
"We've had some games, but I've never got close to him. I had all those things going through my mind and just completely lost my concentration. Cueing went, I was all over the place.
"But yeah, what can I say? I've got momentum, I guess. A bit of luck at the right time, and I somehow managed to win."
Despite missing his chances to seal an earlier victory, he played well and secured passage to the last 16.
He now faces a meeting with Barry Hawkins as he hopes to add another trophy to his cabinet.
Watch and stream the 2025/26 snooker season, including the International Championship, live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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