05 May 2024 , 11:43
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Jak Jones has slammed his "pathetic" rivals for criticising his snooker style and admitted he is not going to change his approach heading into the World Championship final against Kyren Wilson.
After reaching the quarter-final on debut last year, Jones has enjoyed another exceptional tournament, beating Zhang Anda, Si Jiahui, Judd Trump and Stuart Bingham to make it to the final.
Despite his success, the 30-year-old come under controversy for his style with both Trump and Bingham highlighting the fact they found it difficult to hit rhythm against him. Jones is one of the slower players on tour and often likes to take his time before and after every single shot.
That has proven difficult for many players to handle, but the world no.44 has backed his approach and adamantly refuted accusations that it has hindered the performances of his opponents.
"They just can't accept it. I mean it's pathetic really, isn't it? Just accept it," Jones told Snooker site SportsBoom.com, dismissing the claims made against his style of play.
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"Against Judd wasn't great. I noticed I couldn't believe the way he was playing against me. From when I went three up, he just completely changed as a player. I don’t know if it's confidence or what.
"I was prepared to go into that match playing, attacking, and I thought he started that way, but then to say I knocked him out of his rhythm, I don't get it."
Although Jones has been criticised, he is standing firm to his belief that his style is not as negative as portrayed and refuses to accept the negative backlash ahead of facing Wilson in the final.
"That doesn't affect me, Jones added. "There's been matches where I've played slow, but when I play slow, I get bogged down. But when I don’t feel like I was playing like that, I just won’t accept it."
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Jak Jones is into the final of the Snooker World ChampionshipMeanwhile, Wilson is into the final after sliding past David Gilbert 17-11 and he is confident he can win the World Championship for the first time in his career. The world no.12 has previously reached the last two once before, when he lost 18-8 to seven-time champion Ronnie O'Sullivan.
"I've played Jak a few times, fantastic all round player, good cueist," said Wilson. "Seems quite hungry, quite determined and obviously he’s a player that suits the Crucible and had some good recent success here. He’s shown what a good all-round player he is.
"I feel like I can handle any situation really. Especially when you’re playing someone like John Higgins who has the best all-round game that I’ve ever seen and had to compete with.
"If you can take someone apart like that and he can come off and say such kind words. It just fills you with belief and it gives me the confidence that I can handle any player or any situation, especially in this venue."