Snooker star stuns Masters crowd after swinging his cue wildly during match as Ally Pally wasp returns

Snooker star stuns Masters crowd after swinging his cue wildly during match as Ally Pally wasp returns

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Stuart Ballard

By Stuart Ballard


Published: 07/01/2024

- 15:33

The Alexandra Palace pest problem from the World Darts Championship appears to have re-emerged for the 2024 Masters.

Jack Lisowski entertained the Masters crowd inside the Alexandra Palace early in his match against reigning world champion Luca Brecel after attempting to swat a fly or a wasp by swinging his cue like a baseball bat.

Players at the World Darts Championship regularly had to take evasive action on stage due to a wasp problem at the Alexandra Palace.


Luke Littler was among several players who appeared to be stung by the wasp during the tournament.

The venue has now had a quick turnaround since the final of the World Darts Championship to host the 2024 Masters.

Jack Lisowski swiped at the Ally Pally wasp

Jack Lisowski swiped at the Ally Pally wasp

BBC

Brecel and Lisowski kicked things off on Sunday and it wasn't long until the Ally Pally wasp became an issue again.

During the first frame, Lisowski appeared to be perturbed after potting a pink into the middle pocket.

The Englishman was able to keep his composure while playing his shot, but it clearly affected him as he wasn't able to put the red ball exactly where he wanted it.

But the wasp was in for a nasty surprise - as was the crowd - when Lisowski took his cue and wildly swung it in an attempt to swat the insect away.

The full-capacity crowd were stunned with some laughter breaking out and Lisowski also came close to making contact with the table.

Lisowski then needed a moment to recompose himself and even went off to clean his cue.

But the 32-year-old managed to get back on track quickly to then wrap up the opening frame.

Lisowski grew in confidence from there and put down a marker with his 300th century in tournament play in the second frame and just 13 points shy of making a 147.

Jack Lisowski nearly hit the table

Jack Lisowski nearly hit the table

BBC

Brecel was struggling to get anything and soon found himself 4-0 down with Lisowski playing at the top of his game.

The Belgian snooker star eventually got on the board and halved the deficit by winning the next two frames,

Jack Lisowski is through to the quarter-finals

Jack Lisowski is through to the quarter-finals

PA

But that proved to be the final score from Brecel as Lisowski wrapped up the win to progress to the quarter-finals.

He will face either Shaun Murphy or Anda Zhang in the next round and is in the same half as Ronnie O'Sullivan and could meet in the semi-finals.

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