Jack Lisowski has won Group 1 of the 2023 BetVictor Championship League Invitational at the Morningside Arena in Leicester live on Matchroom.Live in the UK and Ireland, Viaplay in Scandinavia, the Baltics, Poland, and the Netherlands as well as other broadcasters worldwide.
The world number twelve headed into day two of the competition with three wins from four knowing not much more would be needed to secure a group playoff place. Lisowski’s eventual opponent in the final Matthew Selt had much more work to be done though with the Essex cueist getting the better of Jordan Brown in the afternoon session to lock up a playoff spot.
In the evening group semi-finals, Lisowski saw off Brown 3-2 in a heavy scoring match that saw four 50+ breaks whilst Ryan Day and Selt locked horns in another final frame decider.
When it came to the group final, Lisowski made the quicker start to take the opening two frames including his fifth century of the group in the second frame to be one away from Winners’ Group. Selt got to the table and responded in fine fashion with a contribution of 87 to pull one back. Lisowski was 30 in front in what proved to be the last frame with Selt given a chance at the table. A brief safety exchanged ensued that saw Lisowski go in off on two separate occasions before getting the job done.
Lisowski said: “I’ve really enjoyed it. I think I’ve been playing some good stuff. I had a great time. I really enjoy these events. I am happy to get the job done but equally, I wouldn’t have minded coming back tomorrow and going again in Group 2. It’s good match practice and now I need to focus on the Masters. I will get ready for the complete change of scenery. I am scoring well and I am enjoying my snooker. It’s just my safety and these tournaments do show that up. THere’s definitely room for improvement on that side. I’m scoring well and having fun though, I am happy.”
“I think these formats sort of suit me. There have been some surprise winners of this tournament over the years. It’s a great chance for me to keep plodding away and hopefully be that guy, there are great incentives at the end of it (2023 Champion of Champions spot).”
Stuart Bingham had a fine second day to recover from three straight losses yesterday to ensure a return in Group 2 tomorrow after wins over Jimmy Robertson, Day, and Lisowski. For Robertson, it was the end of the road with one win from six and he was joined by Ali Carter who failed to get things going on to exit with two points to his name.
Tomorrow sees Barry Hawkins, Robert Milkins and Jamie Jones enter in Group 2 with Selt, Brown, Day, and Bingham. The action continues from 11 am, see where to watch in your country here.
BetVictor Championship League Snooker Invitational sees each of the seven players face each other once in the round-robin group stage, after which the top four players in the league table progress to Tuesday evening’s play-offs. The eventual group champion advances to February’s Winners’ Group with the remaining players who finished in the top five during the league phase continuing to Group 2 which begins on Wednesday when three new players join the tournament. The bottom two players in each group phase are eliminated. All matches are best of five.
The tournament carries a prize fund of £205,000 with players earning £100 per frame won with significant bonuses for their final group position and increased prize money in the Winners’ Group. A place in the 2023 Champion of Champions is also on the line with each group featuring seven players with matches being held over two days.
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