Mark Selby does not feel Jack Lisowski should curb his attacking instincts, but thinks he ‘chucked the towel in’ at the British Open on Friday.
Selby made short work of Lisowski in their quarter-final in Cheltenham, whitewashing him 5-0 in the afternoon session.
The four-time world champion didn’t have to be at his best, but made breaks of 82 and 64 on his way to the dominant victory.
Stephen Hendry on punditry duty for Channel 5 reckoned Lisowski ‘didn’t turn up,’ while two-time ranking event winner Joe Perry said: ‘All he’s got is scoring and potting. If it’s not working then there’s nothing else.’
Asked if he would have any advice for his beaten opponent, Selby did not say he should tone down his style of play, but did think Lisowski showed a weakness in his mentality during the match.
‘It’s tough because obviously I see him like I see Thepchaiya [Un-Nooh, Thai star], he’s such a raw talent, he’s great to watch,’ Selby told Metro.
Are you snooker loopy?
You’re in the right place. I’m Phil Haigh, and I cover the game we all love for Metro.
In my newsletter, The Table, I analyse the biggest talking points, pull back the curtain on the sport and crown the biggest winners and losers every week.
Sign up here.
‘When he’s flying, he’s probably up there with Ronnie [O’Sullivan] to watch. He’s one of my favourites to watch, but sometimes he pushes the boat out a little bit too much.
‘But then at the same time, if you tell him to tighten up a little bit, then he’s not as dangerous and he’s not as fearful to play. Because when he is on his game, it’s like there’s nothing safe, you just fancy him to get everything, so it’s tough.’
Selby added: ‘I think, if anything, he could probably just work a bit mentally. Try and be a bit stronger and try not to show too much emotion because I felt like today after the third frame, I could see his head drop a little bit.
Ask Metro
Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications.
‘You win that fourth frame, it goes to an interval and the interval can change matches, if you’re still in the game.
‘Then even at 4-0 there, I know it’s a big ask, but if it was me I’d still be trying my hardest and make them beat me and today, just all of a sudden, he chucked the towel in.’
Lisowski has had a good time of it in recent months, winning his first ranking title at the Northern Ireland Open in October, reaching the Welsh Open final in March, now back in the top 16 and it was another good run this week in Cheltenham.
‘I love Jack to bits, he’s a great kid, I think he’s great for our game,’ said Selby.
‘He’s won a tournament and I thought the floodgates would open, but he’s just so carefree and that’s how he is off the table and that’s how he is on the table, I don’t think you can change him.’
Selby is now focussed on trying to win the British Open for a second time as he prepares to face Liam Highfield in Saturday’s semi-final.
After the impressive triumph at the China Open last month, the 43-year-old is back in the hunt to be world number one, which is motivation to keep playing in every event possible while his form is red hot.
‘I’m in with a chance and that’s obviously one of the reasons why I’m still playing,’ he said. ‘Having won that comp in China so early on, it’s guaranteed you’re in all the Players Series events, so you could probably skip one or two, but then obviously the players that are in that bracket to try and get number one, they’re pulling away.
‘So I’ll keep on playing and keep on pushing and try and get back there.’
MORE: Judd Trump says only Ronnie O’Sullivan can match Zhao Xintong in one department
MORE: Zhao Xintong names the players he’s ‘studying’ in search for snooker perfection
MORE: Aaron Hill: ‘I’m at the stage now where I want to win tournaments’
Mark Selby offers Jack Lisowski advice after crushing British Open defeat
#Mark #Selby #offers #Jack #Lisowski #advice #crushing #British #Open #defeat
