06 May 2024 , 21:04
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Kyren Wilson has claimed his first ever World Snooker Championship with victory over Jak Jones at the Crucible.
The 32-year-old was appearing in his second final at the Sheffield venue and maintained a healthy lead throughout the contest, eventually seeing off his opponent 18-14. He held a 15-10 lead going into the final session and came out on top in the best of 35 frame match.
Jones had been aiming to become the first qualifier to win the trophy since Shaun Murphy in 2005, but was constantly trailing and couldn't claw back his opponent, despite a stirring effort in the last session from Jones, as the world No 12 basked in the glory of the greatest success of his career as he was made to sweat in the final frames before releasing a fist pump when he made the telling pot.
Wilson said immediately after his victory: "You know what, imagine how embarrassing it would've been if I'd have lost and Bailey (his son) is dressed like that. I'd like to say sorry to Jak for that outburst, but it means so much to all of us. We've remortgaged, sacrificed our whole lives to get here."
He added on his opponent: "He was so tough, I don't know if anyone is left in Wales the way they cheered for him. This is Jak's first final, let alone a world final, and he's conduct himself so well and I'm sure he'll be back."
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Wilson's route to success began with a victory over Dominic Dale in round one. He also later saw off Joe O'Connor, John Higgins and David Gilbert. Jones had been able to secure several shock victories en route to the final, notably beating the third seed and former world champion Judd Trump.
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Jones' slow play had copped criticism from those he beat, but the Welshman made light of what he called excuses from his opponents as he came within one game of a legendary triumph.
Jake Jones, a qualifier, made the final in Sheffield"I think they’ll probably use that excuse forever,’ he said after beating Staurt Bingham. "It seems like a common excuse that these players use against me. They’re supposed to be the best players in the world and yet they’re moaning about getting knocked out of their rhythm. It’s strange to me."
Ronnie O'Sullivan, the pre-tournament favourite, was ousted in the last eight by Bingham. Wilson's success comes after only made one semi-final this season of a TV tournament - which came back in February at the German Masters in Berlin. He has been a prolific scorer though - prior to the World Championships he had produced 61 centuries this season, a mark only bettered by Judd Trump since last June.
Before the tournament the winner said: “Listen, I know I can turn it on when I want to, get the results when I want to. For the Crucible you do need to have a little bit extra in the tank.”