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
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.”
World Snooker Championship 2024 prize money
Kyren Wilson and Jak Jones face off on the final day of the World Snooker Championship 2024 today.
The pair will be eager to write their names into the history books at the Crucible in what has been an unpredictable tournament this year with plenty of upsets. Wilson carried a five-frame lead into Monday in the race to 18 frames.
But Jones has proven to be a fierce competitor and able to grind out victories from difficult positions, leaving the final delicately poised with two sessions remaining.
What is the World Snooker Championship 2024 prize money?
Everything you need to know about the 2024 prize money with Kyren Wilson and Jak Jones battling it out for glory at the Crucible
Jak Jones on prospect of winning World Snooker Championship as a qualifier
“It is crazy and totally unexpected coming into the tournament,” Jones said.
“I don’t think I’ve played particularly well, I haven’t scored particularly well, but my match-play has got me through.”
Kyren Wilson 11-6 Jak Jones
Could fatigue become an issue in the closing stages of this final?
Jak Jones has played almost double the amount of snooker that Kyren Wilson has played, given his longer route at the Crucible.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies