Stranded on the Side of the Road, Snooker Star Makes Stunning Comeback to Win British Open Match
Mitchell Mann’s British Open match against Gao Yang took an unexpected turn, as a flat tire left him stranded on the side of the road just before the crucial showdown. With no spare tire, the world number 91 faced an almost insurmountable setback, already 1-0 down before the match even began. But Mann’s resilience, combined with a bit of good fortune and the help of friends, turned the tide.
“I was completely stranded,” Mann recalled. “I had no spare, and I was stuck on the hard shoulder. I was really starting to panic.” Luckily, his friends answered his call. One friend rushed to pick him up, while the other stayed behind with his car, awaiting help from the RAC. Despite the chaos, Mann managed to make it to the venue, albeit 10 minutes late, and found himself already losing a frame.
However, what followed was a story of determination. With a strong focus and a bit of luck, Mann fought back, winning four of the next six frames to clinch a 4-3 victory and a place in the third round. “I should have driven down the night before, it’s a lesson learned,” he admitted, still unsure where his car ended up.
Mann’s dramatic win was one of several big results at the British Open. Mark Allen powered through with a 4-1 victory over Hungary’s Bulcsu Revesz, while Judd Trump and Shaun Murphy each secured comfortable wins. Defending champion Mark Selby, meanwhile, survived a close 4-3 encounter with Liu Hongyu, aided by a stunning 115 break. As Mann’s improbable journey continues, his win will surely be one of the most memorable moments of the tournament.
