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.”
Kyren Wilson 18-14 Jak Jones
Kyren Wilson finally beats Jak Jones in dramatic final to win his first World Snooker Championship:
Lawrence Ostlere6 May 2024 22:47
Post-match quotes in full
Pointing to his young son Bailey, dressed in waistcoat and bow tie, a relieved Wilson said at the presentation ceremony: “Can you imagine how embarrassing it would be if I’d have lost and Bailey’s dressed like that?
“Firstly I’d like to say sorry to Jak for that outburst (his celebration after a pot), but it does mean so much to all of us.
“Mum and dad, I think they’re on their way down. They remortgaged, sacrificed their whole lives to get me here, my brother, Barry, Carla, Chris, Peter, the list goes on. It’s a massive team effort.
“On YouTube, one of the worst things is me crying at the Masters, this is going to be so much worse. I said I’d never do it again but I just couldn’t help it.
“(Jones) was so tough. I don’t think there are any people left in Wales, the amount they were cheering him on. It made it a fantastic atmosphere, every credit to those guys.
“Me and Jak have come through the junior ranks. This is Jak’s first final, let alone a world final, so he’s conducted himself in an amazing fashion and I’m sure he’ll be back.”
Jones added on BBC Two: “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.”
Lawrence Ostlere6 May 2024 22:33
Wilson wins the World Snooker Championship! Kyren Wilson 18-14 Jak Jones
The new world champion, Kyren Wilson, speaks: “This is Jak’s first final, he’s conducted himself in an amazing fashion and I’m sure he’ll be back.
“My parents remortgaged, they sacrificed everything to get me here. So did my brother, my wife. It means everything to me.”
Lawrence Ostlere6 May 2024 22:11
Wilson wins the World Snooker Championship! Kyren Wilson 18-14 Jak Jones
Jak Jones speaks: “I just want to congratulate Kyren Wilson and his whole family, they deserve it.
“I didn’t think I had much hope but I just tried my best. Hopefully this changes my career for the good.”
Lawrence Ostlere6 May 2024 22:09
Wilson wins the World Snooker Championship! Kyren Wilson 18-14 Jak Jones
Wilson finally gets over the line.
Jak Jones congratulates his opponent as Kyren Wilson lets the tears flow.
Lawrence Ostlere6 May 2024 22:06
Kyren Wilson 17-14 Jak Jones
Wilson pots the winning red, turns to his family looking on and screams “Come on!” What a night, and he’s finally done it.
Lawrence Ostlere6 May 2024 22:03
Kyren Wilson 17-14 Jak Jones
Surely this is it, now! Wilson just needs two or three more reds with colours to end this final…
Lawrence Ostlere6 May 2024 22:01
Kyren Wilson 17-14 Jak Jones
Wilson can’t quite make it happen, but he gets another look a few moments later when Jones attempts a bold double and it bounces back off the jaw! Was that his last shot at this championship?
Jones screws up his face in disgust as the missed red rolls perfectly for Wilson to pot.
Lawrence Ostlere6 May 2024 22:00
Kyren Wilson 17-14 Jak Jones
Wilson immediately loses control of the cue ball and the break ends far too quickly, but Jones misses a long red and Wilson is soon back in amongst the balls with another chance to win the world title.
Lawrence Ostlere6 May 2024 21:52
Kyren Wilson 17-14 Jak Jones
The 32nd frame starts with a couple of misses by each player, before Wilson puts Jones in a tricky situation with the cue ball near the baulk cushion and no obvious escape route. Jones makes a couple of fouls before finally finding a red, but the cue ball isn’t safe and Wilson pots a red, followed by a thin blue.
This could be a good chance…
Lawrence Ostlere6 May 2024 21:49
