Anthony Hamilton edged out Jack Lisowski 4-3 in a thrilling quarter-final of the European Masters in Belgium.
Lisowski has enjoyed a fine start to the current campaign, finishing runner-up in the Riga Masters and reaching the quarter-finals of the World Open, and was widely expected to continue that form against veteran Hamilton.
However, Hamilton came through a tough match against defending champion Luca Brecel on Thursday night and carried that form forward when pinching a tight opening frame on the black.
Hamilton might well have made it 2-0 had he not run out of position when seemingly sure to clear the table and Lisowski made no mistake to get his first frame on the board.
The next two frames were shared but Hamilton pinched a close fifth frame when Lisowski had been a strong favourite to go in front and though Lisowski again the levelled up at 3-3, it was Hamilton who held his nerve to progress to the semi-finals.
Lisowski missed a red from distance in the opening exchanges of the decider to leave Hamilton in the balls and although a break of 40 wasn't enough to close out the match, when Lisowski missed a simple red to middle Hamilton was gifted a golden opportunity that he grasped with both hands.
📡 Anthony Hamilton is through to the semi-finals of a ranking event for the first time since his emotional 2017 German Masters victory.
— World Snooker (@WorldSnooker) October 5, 2018
The Sheriff of Pottingham has overcame Jack Lisowski in a deciding frame to progress to the last four. #EuropeanMasters pic.twitter.com/01p8HaRzsY
