Chris Wakelin said he had “never played that well on such a big occasion” as he thrashed Jack Lisowski 6-1 to reach the final of the BetVictor Northern Ireland Open in Belfast.
Wakelin won the BetVictor Shoot Out in January this year but otherwise had never previously appeared in a ranking event semi-final. But against the more experienced Lisowski, he produced a dominant performance and looked composed and full of self-belief. World number 25 Wakelin will face Judd Trump or Barry Hawkins at the Waterfront Hall on Sunday. First to nine frames will lift the Alex Higgins Trophy and bank £80,000.
A former Asda delivery driver, Wakelin turned pro in 2013, and while he scored some fine results in the early years of his career, notably reaching the Crucible three times, he had never gone beyond the quarter-finals of a ranking event before 2023. He has made significant changes to his life since taking up ballroom dancing in 2021, and his renewed confidence helped him win the Shoot Out nine months ago. He now has the chance to make another leap forward and double his tally of titles.
The 31-year-old is also now guaranteed a place in the Champion of Champions next month, and victory tomorrow would make him the first right-handed player to lift the trophy in Belfast as the previous winners have all been left-handers: Mark King, Mark Williams, Trump and Mark Allen.
Wakelin took the opening frame with a break of 57, before Lisowski levelled with a run of 61. Frame three went Wakelin’s way, and he made a 57 to take control of the fourth. Lisowski had a chance to counter, but missed a difficult black when he trailed 57-20, and his opponent took advantage to lead 3-1 at the interval.
Nuneaton’s Wakelin continued to build momentum as a run of 71 put him 4-1 ahead. In frame six, Wakelin made 66 before missing a tricky red to centre, but Lisowski couldn’t punish him as a tough red along the top cushion wobbled in the pocket. Wakelin added 62 to go four up with five to play. A missed red on 34 in the seventh didn’t prove expensive for Wakelin as he soon got another chance and made a match-winning 34.
“I’ve never experience an atmosphere like that, not even playing at the Crucible,” said Wakelin. “It’s a stunning venue, looking up at the crowd takes your breath away. To play like that in that arena is what dreams are made of. I got a frame on the board at the start, settled down and my confidence grew.
“I’ve never played that well on such a big occasion, especially given how talented and dangerous Jack is. I’ve put a lot of work in and I’ve got a great team around me. My best mate Jason has been here all week, his wife Kate keeps ringing him and asking when he’s coming home!
“To be in the Champion of Champions is a great bonus because it’s such a big tournament. I used to go and watch my friend Mark Selby in that event every year and thought there was fat chance of me ever getting in it. That shows where I was at the time. If I get into it having won two ranking titles that would really validate my place in it.”
Asked about ballroom dancing, Wakelin added: “When I first signed up for it a couple of years ago to help a local charity, I was thinking the glitter and spray tans wasn’t for me. You could never even get me on the dancefloor in a nightclub. I turned up and was blown away by everyone involved. There were no egos, we were just there to learn new things, make new friends and raise money for Zoe’s Place which is a baby hospice. I fell in love with it and I have met some of my best friends through it. I got asked back the year afterwards to represent the team, and I have been asked back again this year although it’s the same week as the Scottish Open.
“It’s a huge part of my life now and it makes me feel good to be doing something for charity. I have worked on my fitness, out running three or four times a week. I am in a much better place mentally and that makes me more comfortable when I’m playing because I’m happy in myself. When I went out there today, if I lost 6-0 my life was still good. I love who I am now. Snooker means everything and I’m here to win. In the past, when I lost I’d be in the Doldrums and in the pub for three days, but now if I lose I can handle it.”
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