Jack Lisowski is ‘world’s best long potter’ and ‘contender’ for Masters title – Alan McManus

Jack Lisowski is the “best long potter in the world” and a contender for the 2023 Masters title, according to Eurosport expert Alan McManus.

The 31-year-old put together runs of 68, 88, 100 and 93 as he saw off the four-time world champion for his first Masters win in four attempts.

Lisowski has previously credited mentor Peter Ebdon for adding mental strength to his armoury, with McManus particularly impressed at the gritty side of his win over Higgins.

When asked if Lisowski has improved since last year, McManus replied: “Very much so. He’s getting better and better every time I watch him.

“The Peter Ebdon influence has been well documented, he would have loved that match last night. Not the four one-visit frames, I’m talking about the two scrappy frames that happened in the match – Jack got them both and that’s what I think Peter will be looking for.

“One other thing on Jack Lisowski…I believe he’s the best long potter in the world right now, and I mean under pressure.

“He was 12/16 last night but it’s the quantity and quality of them that’s just staggering. In they go, under lots of pressure and they’re all hitting the middle of the pocket. I believe he’s a title contender.”

Lisowski is yet to win a ranking event in his career, having reached six finals without joy.

But under Ebdon’s guidance, he appears to have taken a big step forwards. To put his latest win in perspective, he won more frames against Higgins (six) than his previous three outings at the Masters combined (four).

White singled out his improved safety game and added: “What he does as good as anyone in the game, when he gets in the balls, he knows exactly where the white is going.

“He’s such a great ball striker, a pure ball striker.

“The sky is the limit for this guy because now I think that he’s working with Peter [Ebdon], he’s got that mental strength.”

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