'His standard is up there with Ronnie O'Sullivan' – Mark Selby reveals dark horse for World Snooker Championship glory

ByEurosport

Updated 09/03/2024 at 00:01 GMT

Jack Lisowski could hit the jackpot at the World Championship in Sheffield next month if he brings his top game to the Crucible Theatre. Lisowski's best run at the sport's biggest event was reaching the last eight two years ago, but four-time winner Mark Selby is urging 'Jackpot' to show greater self-belief. "Sometimes his standard is up there with Ronnie, it is unplayable," said Selby.

Watch as O'Sullivan clinches glory in final of Riyadh Season World Masters

Jack Lisowski has the natural ability to challenge for World Championship glory at the Crucible Theatre next month, according to four-time winner Mark Selby.

Despite having never lifted a ranking title and losing six major finals between 2018 and 2021, Selby feels that the 33-1 long shot dubbed 'Jackpot' is a "world champion in the making", comparing his best levels to snooker GOAT Ronnie O'Sullivan.

“I love Jack to bits, but I speak on behalf of all the players that he is so frustrating," said Selby on WST. "He is so good and it is only a matter of time before he wins a tournament, but you watch him and it is as if he doesn’t want it enough at times.

World Championship

O'Sullivan wraps up win over Day to reach quarter-finals

00:02:25

17 hours ago

"He is such a nice guy, it is as if he doesn’t have that firepower in his belly and he just enjoys being out there.

"For me he is a world champion in the making. Sometimes his standard is up there with Ronnie, it is unplayable. He is probably one of my favourite players to watch.

"I think once he wins one then the floodgates will open. At the moment, I don’t think he realises how good he is."

‘This might top it all!’ - Allen seals deciding frame winner over Selby in ‘mind-blowing’ fashion

World No. 17 Lisowski enjoyed his best performance at the World Championship two years ago when he was edged 13-12 to Selby's fellow four-time world champion John Higgins in a quarter-final epic.

“Deep down, when you speak to him or hear him in interviews it is as if he doesn’t believe he should be there with the top guys," said Selby, who is chasing a fifth title over the past decade in Sheffield between April 20-May 6.

"He is a top player. He played great at the Crucible in 2022, beat Neil Robertson and only just lost to John Higgins to miss out on the semi-finals.

"Who knows, if he won that then he could have been world champion already. All the other players have more belief in him than he has in himself. That is scary because he is so talented.”