Stephen Hendry was delighted to see Jack Lisowski lastly be part of the champion’s enclosure along with his triumph on the Northern Eire Open on the weekend.
As a seven-time world champion and a 36-time rating occasion winner, Hendry was some of the ruthless winners the sport has ever produced.
The identical hasn’t been the case of Lisowski, however many consider that the 34 year-old can now obtain even greater outcomes having damaged his event duck on the primary tour.
The favored participant from Cheltenham teamed up with famend snooker coach Chris Henry not too long ago and there was loads of proof in Belfast that their fledgling partnership was working nicely.
Lisowski ousted defending champion Kyren Wilson and former world primary Mark Selby within the earlier rounds of the competitors – opponents with decided types who he has usually struggled in opposition to prior to now.
Beating shut good friend Judd Trump within the remaining was one other poignant feat given how three out of his earlier six defeats in title-deciding affairs had been inflicted by the identical opponent.
There was an electrical ambiance contained in the Waterfront Corridor as Lisowski potted the successful balls within the deciding body earlier than he and Trump exchanged emotional phrases about one another of their fast post-match interviews.
Social media was additionally immediately awash with constructive feedback as many followers and gamers provided their congratulations, with Hendry additionally sharing his ideas on the event within the newest episode of his podcast.
“I believe the entire world of snooker is simply delighted by that consequence within the Northern Eire Open,” Stephen Hendry stated on the Snooker Membership podcast.
“There have been a couple of good mentions this week. I believe we are able to all take credit score for Jordan Brown’s good run after being on the podcast final day trip.”
“However the story is Jack Lisowski. I imply, he has at all times been considered one of my most favorite gamers to observe.
“The expertise, the cue motion, the contact, and simply an unbelievably lovely snooker participant to observe.
“He at all times has been, however he at all times had that monkey on his again that he hasn’t gained a title.
“He’s most likely so sick of individuals like us occurring and on about it each time he doesn’t win or each time he loses in a remaining.
“However he takes it, and he has taken it, with such grace. He has by no means actually hit out at folks.
“I’ve by no means heard anybody with a foul phrase to say about him. I believe that’s why it’s such a preferred consequence.
“And he did it the exhausting means. I imply Mark Selby, Kyren Wilson, Judd Trump? Three of one of the best gamers on the earth all dispatched by Jack.
“Okay, he’s by no means going to have the granite security recreation of a Selby or a Mark Allen, however I don’t suppose he wants it.
“He’s bought that aptitude, that particular X-factor, that may rise above that tactical play. He can simply play outrageous pictures.
“I believe that’s what he’s bought to give attention to for the remainder of his profession – that supreme expertise.
“And I can’t wait to see the place that expertise takes him now. Now he’s bought that one win, who is aware of what’s going to occur?
“Clearly you don’t wish to beat your finest mate, however I believe if he’d gained his first title, he’d have liked it to be in opposition to Judd.
“A shout out should go to Chris Henry. He’s solely simply began working with Chris weeks in the past.
“Already they’ve bought his first title beneath their belt, so an enormous shout out to Chris I believe for what he’s carried out with Jack.
“However yeah, I’m simply so comfortable for him. I actually am. I can’t wait to see the place his expertise takes him from right here on in.”
Lisowski can subsequent be seen on the Worldwide Championship which begins on Sunday in Nanjing.
The £100,000 high prize from the Northern Eire Open success helped Lisowski return to quantity 24 within the newest two-year world rankings.
However he nonetheless has various work to do if he’s to rejoin the highest 16 and match his earlier excessive rating of 10 from a couple of years in the past.
Solely the highest 16 gamers after the conclusion of the Worldwide Championship will qualify robotically for the season’s first Triple Crown occasion with the UK Championship in York simply across the nook.
Featured photograph credit score: WST
