Jack Lisowski: Alan McManus tips Jackpot to win ranking title ‘soon’ – ‘He has a gift no one else has’

ByDarren Beattie

Published 11/01/2024 at 20:29 GMT

Jack Lisowski is one of snooker's most naturally gifted players but is yet to win a ranking title. Eurosport expert Alan McManus has tipped the 32-year-old to end his long wait for silverware "soon" - and lavished praise on his game. "In my opinion, this boy’s got the best technique there is by a distance," said McManus, ahead of Lisowski's Masters quarter-final match against Shaun Murphy.

Jack Lisowski has the ability to win a ranking title "soon", says Eurosport expert Alan McManus, who believes the 'Jackpot' has a "gift that no one else has".

Lisowski – who recently acquired the services of coach Lee Walker – has made it to six ranking title finals but is yet to get his hands on any silverware.

However, he showed his true potential in an impressive 6-2 win over world champion Luca Brecel in the first round of the Masters.

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Speaking in the Eurosport studio ahead of his quarter-final against Shaun Murphy, McManus was asked if Lisowski had any obvious weaknesses in his match, to which the Scot responded: "There are a few, but strangely it’s the ones that you can’t see – it’s the mind.

"Can he develop a steely resolve that you need out there? You need a steely resolve if you’re going to get the better of the guys you’re going to have to beat [such as] Luca, Murphy, Ronnie [O'Sullivan] then perhaps [Mark] Selby if you’re going to win one of these things."

However, McManus tipped the 32-year-old to end his long wait for a trophy – and "soon" – because of his natural ability at the snooker table.

"I think he can win one of these things and I think he can do it soon," McManus said.

"In my opinion, this boy’s got the best technique there is by a distance. The way his cue extends through the ball is a gift that no one else has.

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"I believe he’s the best long potter in the world right now. I think he’s going to win soon, he’s got to. Every time I watch him he just impresses me more and more.

"It’s not the shot he plays, it’s the feeling you get watching him."

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Reanne Evans, meanwhile, also lavished praise on Lisowski's game.

"He’s definitely got the knockout punch because he’s so attacking," she said.

"I think he’s fantastic. His long ball potting is amazing, his break-building is very good. It’s just every now and again he goes missing a little bit but hopefully he’s working on that.

"But he’s just so great to watch. He’s so fluent, so attacking, just amazing."

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