Ali Carter believes Jack Lisowski is the ‘closest thing we’ve got to Ronnie O’Sullivan’ on the World Snooker Tour, after beating Jackpot at the World Open this week.
The Captain edged past Lisowski 5-4 in the third round in Yushan, despite impressive breaks of 131, 119 and 87 from the eventual loser.
Carter was thrilled to get past a friend of his who he rates extremely highly, comparing the 33-year-old to the seven-time world champion.
‘In one sense I really enjoy playing Jack Lisowski because he’s the closest thing we’ve got to Ronnie O’Sullivan,’ Carter told WST.
‘But when you’re playing him you’ve just got a tiger by its tail the whole time. He just goes on one, he’s so inspirational.
‘For me to grind out a victory, and that’s what it was it was a grind, was very pleasing, and that’s given me a lot of confidence moving into the latter part of this week and hopefully I can keep it going. Stay in Yushan as long as possible so it minimises the days off before Hong Kong [for the World Grand Prix].’
Carter went on to beat David Lilley 5-1 in the fourth round and set up a quarter-final with Barry Hawkins on Thursday.
The 45-year-old started the season in perfect fashion by winning the Championship League, but then dipped in form somewhat through the middle months of the campaign.
There were encouraging signs of life at the recent Welsh Open where he reached the semi-finals and he has continued to pick up wins in Yushan.
‘Still some work to do’
‘I know I’m in the Grand Prix next week. My Players Championship spot, there’s still some work to do there, and my Crucible seeding, so there’s work to do,’ he said.
‘I’m doing all I can, I got to the semis last week in Wales, I’m in the quarter-finals here in another big event. So that’s pleasing. The game’s trending in the right direction, I’m looking forward to the coming few weeks.’
As for Lisowski, he has had a solid season, sitting at number 16 on the one-year ranking list, so he will be at the World Grand Prix in Hong Kong next week.
The Players Championship, which follows in Telford, is for the top 16 in the one-year rankings so Jackpot will hope to make it to that event too.
He has been pretty consistent and made three quarter-finals, but nothing beyond that as his search for a first ranking title goes on.
Carter faces Hawkins and Shaun Murphy meets Joe O’Connor on Thursday in Yushan with the winners facing in the semi-finals on Friday.
Already into the final four are John Higgins and, surprisingly, Zak Surety who has made it into a ranking semi for the first time in his career.
‘Obviously it’s exciting,’ said Surety. ‘I played him earlier on in China [2024 Wuhan Open], had quite a close game, but that was out back on table four or five. It’s different now, semi-final, one-table.
‘He’s one of the best ever. I still pinch myself being around people like John. I’ve got him in a semi-final, I’ve got to start believing in myself a bit.’
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