Jack Lisowski will be under the spotlight once again this season as he hunts down the first title of his career, but far from panicking, he is staying patient and feels his game continues to come together.
Jackpot was in Sheffield on Thursday and successfully qualified for the International Championship in China in November, ahead of a hugely busy part of the season, with a packed calendar right through to Christmas.
The 32-year-old has not had a lot to go at so far this campaign, but enjoyed competing at the Shanghai Masters where he lost 6-5 to Judd Trump in the last 16.
It shows how unfazed Lisowski can be by defeats that his initial memory of the tournament wasn’t the loss, but how much he enjoys the city.
‘I love Shanghai!’ Lisowski said when asked about the recent event. ‘I pushed Judd, lost 6-5, close game but I enjoyed the trip.’
Outside of the Championship League, Trump has won his last seven meetings with his good pal Lisowski, but while Jack admits playing a friend is not ideal, he does not think it is a big problem.
‘It’s alright, it’s not that bad,’ he said. ‘I never really fully enjoy it, but even when he wins he doesn’t look that happy, so it’s not ideal.
‘It is what it is, we’re both used to it so we just get on with it. When you play your good mates, there’s a few players on tour I’m really close to, when you play them it’s not ideal, but it is what it is at the end of the day, you’ve just got to get on with it.’
Lisowski was clearly not overly down about his World Championship defeat earlier this year either, as when asked about his lasting feelings on his last 16 defeat to Anthony McGill, none sprung to mind.
‘Feels like so long ago I can’t really remember,’ he said. ‘What happened? I lost to McGill. Yeah, I didn’t play great but you just kind of get on with it. New season, no time to dwell on it, but honestly, I can’t really remember.’
Jackpot did like what he saw later in the tournament, though, loving the performance of Luca Brecel as he became world champion and hoping he can recreate it.
‘I watched the final and I thought Luca was brilliant, he was brilliant,’ said Jack.
‘Whenever I watch the tournaments I think, cor I wish I was there. Everyone’s on their own path I guess, I keep plugging away and hopefully I’ll be there soon.
‘It’s good for snooker that Luca won, I love it when players like that get to the final, I love watching it, it’s good.
‘I just play my game, always try my best, I feel like I’m edging closer and it’s good. It’s all coming together, I’ve just got to be patient.’
As Lisowski battles to win his first title, one man not short of success is Ronnie O’Sullivan who triumphed at the Shanghai Masters for the fourth straight time and fifth in total.
The Rocket, still world number one, remains the best in the game, reckons Jackpotwho pointed out that O’Sullivan playing in front of full houses beats playing in leisure centres, which is exactly what he was doing on Thursday at Ponds Forge.
‘I think he is the best, for sure,’ Lisowski said of O’Sullivan. ‘It’s not easy, it’s a tough game snooker and you see he had to win a few close games there. He’s the best player of all time, in my opinion, I think it’s pretty obvious.
‘I guess the more you play in those occasions. the more you get used to it. He plays well in front of big crowds. It’s what you want to do, you don’t want to be playing in leisure centres.’
Lisowski is back in action on Monday evening at the British Open against Joe O’Connor.
MORE : Ronnie O’Sullivan says he’s ‘preparing for death’ after Shanghai Masters triumph over Luca Brecel
MORE : Ronnie O’Sullivan beats Luca Brecel to extend epic Shanghai Masters winning run
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