Jak Jones vs Kyren Wilson LIVE: World Snooker Championship final score and result as Wilson wins first title
Jak Jones battled back but eventually fell short as Kyren Wilson won the final at the Crucible and claimed his first world title
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Kyren Wilson survived a stirring fightback from qualifier Jak Jones to win the world snooker title for the first time at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.
Wilson struggled to contain his emotions as he wrapped up an 18-14 triumph over Jones, who fought valiantly after losing the first seven frames of the final, and reeled off three frames in a row from 17-11 to give himself some hope of an improbable revival.
Victory sealed a timely return to form for Wilson, who had arrived for his 10th tilt at the title on the back of his worst campaign in a decade, a solitary semi-final at the German Masters put into perspective by illness and injury afflicting his young family.
But he was made to work overtime by Jones, who looked down and out after losing the first seven frames, but staged a remarkable comeback and even threatened a maximum in the 30th frame before running aground after potting the first 12 reds and blacks.
Jones said at the presentation ceremony: “Congratulations to Kyren and his family, they deserve it. If anyone deserves it he does, so congratulations to them.
“It’s been an unbelievable tournament for me. About a month ago I was in my first qualifying match. It’s been a long month but I’m happy with it.
“I wouldn’t say (I came in) with a lot of hope. I just thought if I try my best, basically, see what happens. But when you’re playing someone as solid as Kyren, with such a good all-round game, it’s going to be hard to come back from a deficit like that so it wasn’t to be.”
Jak Jones 8-11 Kyren Wilson - World Snooker Championship 2024 final
Wilson looks edgy, but that's a smart shot and gets the ball close to the baulk cushion before what promises to be the start of a safety duel.
Wilson has a 74% safety rate in this match, while Jones has an 81% safety rate.
But Jones has missed a red to the middle and Wilson will snatch the opportunity left by his opponent. Now then, can he settle down?
Jak Jones 8-11 Kyren Wilson - World Snooker Championship 2024 final
Now then, Jones has got another back here and suddenly momentum is swinging back to the Welshman.
His confidence is evident and suddenly this frame is vital for Wilson, he has to stop the run here.
Jak Jones 7-11 Kyren Wilson - World Snooker Championship 2024 final
That’s a mistake from Wilson as we resume this match.
Jones has a red to the corner, makes it and holds the white for the black. Smart play.
But suddenly this frame looks awkward, three reds at the opposite end of the table. A safety battle breaks out and Wilson rests on the pack of reds.
Jak Jones 7-11 Kyren Wilson - World Snooker Championship 2024 final
Stephen Hendry: "Create scoring opportunities, his long game has to be on point.
“Everything has to be there. Here, poor position on the black but it’s good rescue.”
Steve Davis talks about “momentum” and avoiding unforced errors. But the gap is down to four frames.
World Snooker Championship: Jak Jones 6-11 Kyren Wilson
Jones misses a long pink, Wilson is up out of his chair and eager to look for snookers.
Jones is 33 ahead, 27 remaining.
But that’s magic from Jones, a swerve to pot the yellow! And what a boost to start this session.
World Snooker Championship: Jak Jones 6-11 Kyren Wilson
Now then, this is a tricky red, so much so that he goes for another to the middle pocket, makes it! Positive from Jones and now the pink before a cluster of reds nicely spaced out.
The break is up to 28 and Jones can win the frame from here you would think.
A slight mistake on that black though, he's short on the next red, but what cue power and recovery! He misses the blue and then takes it on to move back up the table. Impressive.
World Snooker Championship: Jak Jones 6-11 Kyren Wilson
Stunning from Jones, a shot to nothing, but he makes the red and avoids the blue on the way back down the table. What a chance now!
A lovely positional shot off the green and he’s on a red in the middle of the pack.
World Snooker Championship: Jak Jones 6-11 Kyren Wilson
And Wilson looks poised to snatch the first opportunity that presents itself. In and around the black, a composed start, this.
But there’s the slip-up! He’s blocked the plant that was available before. Wilson plays safe... but not well! Tension at the Crucible!
World Snooker Championship: Jak Jones 6-11 Kyren Wilson
It’s Wilson to break and it’s a little short.
Jones has a small chance immediately with a couple of reds.
What a stunning pot, a little unlucky to clip another red, leaving a long blue and... NO! It rattles the jaws of the pocket and it’s out.
Jak Jones 6-11 Kyren Wilson
It’s time... Here come the players!
Will Jones rally again? Or can Wilson finish this off with time to spare?
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