2023 Masters – Day 2: Mixed fortunes for the class of ‘92

The second day at the 2023 Masters is done, and the game’s biggest name geared up in his campaign for a record-extending eighth title. Ronnie O’Sullivan faced Luca Brecel, before two titans in the form of John Higgins and Jack Lisowski faced each other. After the shocks of the opening day, there was a genuine sense that anything could happen, and anyone could win – so what happened on day two?

O’Sullivan against Brecel began with a touch of cagey safety play, but after a misjudged escape by the Belgian player, the reigning world champion was left with an excellent opportunity. He made a 97, and won the first frame. He then had first chance in the next frame after an excellent long pot, but he only made 42 before a split on the reds went wrong. Brecel made a superb break to bring himself back into the match, before it came down to the final three colours. He left the blue over the pocket for O’Sullivan, and he cleared up from there to steal the frame. In the third frame, Brecel produced an excellent pot with the rest on the cushion, but went in off the blue, leaving O’Sullivan to clear up again. Brecel needed to respond, and a break of 100 made it 3-1 at the interval.

A poor break by Brecel left O’Sullivan a starter when action resumed, and he used it to kick off a break of 134 and extend his lead. Brecel certainly had a chance in the next frame, but he landed awkwardly on the pack – after a slight safety exchange, O’Sullivan was left a ball in the baulk end from which he made a phenomenal break and another century, this time 104. He was now one from victory, and Brecel came out fighting. He missed a tough brown, but an unexpected miss by O’Sullivan gave him one last chance, one that he failed to seize. The world champion won 6-1, and never looked in any trouble throughout the match.

Lisowski eventually carved out a chance, and made a match-winning break to vanquish Higgins

O’Sullivan will face either Mark Williams or David Gilbert in the next round.

Both Higgins and Lisowski started off nervy, with the two players both having good chances to win the first frame – ultimately, despite some surprising errors, Lisowski was first on the scoreboard. Higgins produced a great long red to start frame two, but unusually weak play soon handed the initiative to his opponent, who made 68 to extend his lead to two. The Scotsman needed to fight back, and another great long red gave him the chance – he made 142, the highest break of the tournament thus far. Lisowski couldn’t produce a century of his own in response, but a fantastic 88 made it 3-1 in his favour at the interval.

Liswoski had first chance as the match resumed, but he overran and then missed a surprising red to the bottom right – Higgins pounced, and made 79 to move within one. Things went scrappy in frame six, but Lisowski made a break of 100 to extend his lead. Higgins had a great chance to keep up the fightback, but he missed an easy red to middle – Lisowski needed everything to more within one of victory, and he managed it.

Higgins needed to do something, and it looked like a 147 may be in order. On 65, essentially frame ball, he was faced with a choice of colour – an easy blue or pink, or a tough black to keep the maximum going. He opted for the latter, and it looked like Lisowski would end the match here. But he missed an easy red himself, and Higgins put a frame on the board to keep his hopes alive. Both players had chances to get going in what turned out to be the final frame, but Lisowski eventually carved out a chance, and made a match-winning break to vanquish Higgins.

Lisowski will face Hossein Vafaei in the quarter-finals, the Iranian player having stunned Mark Selby 6-2 in his tournament debut.