German Masters 2023: Jack Lisowski fightback from two down brings Jimmy White’s dream to an end in Berlin

Jimmy White’s German Masters run ended after a 5-2 defeat to Jack Lisowski – despite threatening an early upset.

White had already made headlines by becoming the first player in his 60s to reach the last 16 of a ranking tournament since Eddie Charlton in 1992, and after racing into a 2-0 lead, looked on course to achieve the unthinkable.

However, Lisowski was able to battle back, despite not being at his best, to book his place in the quarter-finals.

Whether the 60-year-old was defying his age or demonstrating his years of experience, the Whirlwind could not have got off to a better start as he dominated the first frame following an early miss from Lisowski.

The second frame was a slightly messier affair with neither player able to find their rhythm until a couple of brilliant reds put White back on top.

He then sank a difficult pressure pink to the right middle in confident fashion, allowing him to eventually double his advantage and bring the fans in the Tempodrom to their feet.

Lisowski looked to be on the ropes but held his nerve with some clever safety play and a 50 break to reduce the deficit in the third.

The final frame before the interval saw White having trouble with something in his eye and perhaps ever so slightly lose his focus, allowing Lisowski a couple of big opportunities, one of which saw the 31-year-old clean up on the colours to level at 2-2 ahead of the interval.

The momentum was very much in Lisowski’s favour following the break but suffered a minor scare in the fifth when he got a slight kick to miss a black off its spot. White couldn’t capitalise however and found himself behind for the first time in the match.

The sixth frame began in disjointed fashion but Lisowski, who was looking far from his best, was able to extend his lead and the writing was on the wall.

White had one final flourish as he rallied in the seventh frame with a break of 52 but after missing a red to right-middle, Lisowski cleaned up to close out the match.

– – –