Mark Allen graciously accepted defeat after losing the chance to win the Home Nations Series bonus to Jack Lisowski. He humorously mentioned that he “cried himself to sleep” when the £150,000 prize slipped through his fingers.
Lisowski made a remarkable comeback, highlighted by a superb break of 78 in the final frame of his semi-final match against John Higgins, securing his place in the final and the substantial cash prize.
Initially leading the rankings throughout the Home Nations campaign, Allen missed his opportunity to claim the jackpot after a disappointing performance at the Welsh Open, where he suffered a first-round loss to David Grace.
Despite congratulating Lisowski on his victory, Allen expressed his disappointment on social media, stating that it was the fourth time in six years he had finished as the runner-up for such a prize.
Lisowski, who was among the few players capable of overtaking Allen for the bonus, seized the opportunity and displayed great composure under pressure to secure the win. He emphasized his determination to keep potting balls until the victory was his and mentioned his focus on maintaining a strong performance in the upcoming final against Barry Hawkins.