Jack Lisowski pulls out of World Grand Prix snooker due to personal reasons hours before clash with Judd Trump

JACK Lisowski has pulled out of the World Grand Prix snooker just hours before his last-16 clash against best pal Judd Trump.

The 33-year-old had beaten Zhang Anda in the opening round in Hong Kong but has since withdrawn for “personal reasons”.

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Jack Lisowski has pulled out of the World Grand Prix snooker last-16 in Hong Kong[/caption]

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Lisowski was due to face best pal Judd Trump[/caption]

A brief statement from WST read: “Jack Lisowski has withdrawn from the ongoing World Grand Prix in Hong Kong for personal reasons.

“Lisowski was due to face Judd Trump on Thursday afternoon, but Trump will now receive a bye.

“Neil Robertson vs. David Gilbert will now take place on table one.”

Lisowski’s withdrawal means he will no longer be able to qualify for the upcoming Players Championship or Tour Championship, with his World Grand Prix campaign crucial for qualification.

He needed to win at least two more matches in Hong Kong, which would have meant overcoming UK Championship winner Trump.

That means he is next due to play at the World Championship qualifiers in Sheffield in April.

Trump beat Gary Wilson in his opener and clearly expected to be facing his good friend Lisowski next.

The world No.1 told WST: “I would rather have avoided Jack until the final, but it’s a great setting for both of us to play in, Hong Kong.

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“It’s difficult, knowing that he needs to do well otherwise he can’t get in the Players, so it’s so difficult, but I’ve just got to go out there and try and forget that, just try my best.”

But Trump no longer needs to worry about knocking his good pal out of the upcoming tournaments.

Before pulling out on Wednesday, Lisowski said: “Judd will not be easy. I’ll try my best and go again on Thursday.

“I’m playing well and my attacking is good but my safety and defensive play is questionable.”

Trump is now into the quarter-finals, where he will face Xu Si, Hossein Vafaei or Si Jiahui for a place in the semis.

The World Grand Prix has now been hit by a trio of withdrawal.

Ronnie O’Sullivan and Stephen Maguire both pulled out before the tournament began due to medical reasons.

O’Sullivan was replaced by Vafaei and Maguire by Ben Woollaston as they were next in line on the one-year ranking list.

Keep up to date with the World Grand Prix live blog here.