Fearless Ford denies Lisowski to reach German Masters final
Ford overcame Lisowski on the final pink in Berlin
Tom Ford will play Ali Carter in this year’s German Masters final following a dramatic 6-5 victory over Jack Lisowski at the Tempodrom on Saturday.
The opportunity appeared to have passed the Leicester cueist, who trailed 52-0 in the deciding frame having led 5-3 in the battle of the tour’s two highest-ranked players yet to win a ranking title.
However, Ford produced a sublime 63 clearance to snatch victory on the pink and book a place in only the second ranking final of his career.
The world number 24, whose only previous such venture also came in Germany when he was runner-up to Mark Selby at the 2016 Paul Hunter Classic, will play Carter after the 2013 champion edged out maximum man Robert Milkins 6-5.
✅ 2016 Paul Hunter Classic
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— Live Snooker (@Livesnooker) February 4, 2023
Ford had won 11 of his 12 previous meetings with Lisowski and started with a break of 84 on the way to a 2-0 lead.
Jackpot – aiming to finally end his wait for ranking silverware – responded with runs of 102 and 84 on the way to levelling at 3-3.
Ford, who saw off 2019 champion Kyren Wilson in the quarter-finals, regained the initiative with contributions of 104 and 89, only for Lisowski to rally with 80 on the way to forcing a decider.
The left-hander built a 52-0 cushion from the first opportunity of the final frame. However, a missed red presented an unexpected chance to Ford, who produced a wonderful 63 clearance to scrape over the line.
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— Live Snooker (@Livesnooker) February 4, 2023
Earlier in the day, Carter also held his nerve in a tense decider to overcome Milkins 6-5 and reach his third German Masters final.
The 2013 champion, who was also runner-up to Anthony Hamilton six years ago, found himself 3-1 behind as his opponent sought only a second ranking final.
However, the Captain came flying out of the blocks after the interval with breaks of 72, 67 and 133 turning the contest on its head, before producing a brilliant 83 clearance from 45-0 down to move to the brink of victory.
Reigning Gibraltar Open champion Milkins, who produced a magical maximum break in his quarter-final win over Chris Wakelin, stopped the rot with a superb break of 109, and snatched frame 10 on the pink to ensure a decider.
But the Milkman was unable to capitalise on an early opportunity, enabling Carter to eventually seal a 10th ranking final appearance.
✅ 2013
✅ 2017
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— Live Snooker (@Livesnooker) February 4, 2023