Lisowski stunned by Grace to tumble out of British Open

Jack Lisowski suffered a shock exit in the first round of the British Open on Wednesday, as the world No. 19 lost 4-2 to David Grace at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester.

Gloucestershire potter Lisowski was bidding to qualify for the Centaur Arena at Cheltenham Racecourse (September 23-29), but could not recover despite securing the first frame with a break of 51.

World No. 61 Grace responded with knocks of 101 and 54 to lead 3-1, with a 72 from Lisowski in the fifth frame not enough as his opponent rolled in 58 to book his spot in the last 64.

Former Shoot Out winner Michael Holt completed a 4-0 win over 12-time women’s world champion Reanne Evans, boosted by knocks of 61, 58 and 54.

Meanwhile, Thai speed merchant Thepchaiya Un-Nooh took less than an hour to complete a 4-1 victory over Swiss Alexander Ursenbacher with breaks of 54, 88, 63 and 80.

All top 16 seeds will begin their respective campaigns in Cheltenham, with 26-time ranking event winner Mark Williams bidding to defend the title he collected with a 10-7 victory in the final against Mark Selby last season.

The Welshman first won the British Open in 1997 and is chasing a third title in four years after defeating Wilson 6-4 in the 2021 final.

Ronnie O’Sullivan, the 1994 winner, will meet Thailand’s world No. 94 Manasawin Phetmalaikul in his tournament opener, with Judd Trump handed a potentially tricky clash against former Welsh Open holder Robert Milkins.

Meanwhile, world champion Kyren Wilson will face Belgian talent Julien Leclercq, with Selby taking on Pang Junxu, the player he defeated 6-2 to win the World Snooker Tour Classic in his home city of Leicester last year.