Jak Jones vs Kyren Wilson LIVE: World Snooker Championship final score and updates

Born in Kettering, the 32-year-old first turned professional in 2010 and soon established himself as one of snooker’s brightest young stars, recovering from a loss of form and regaining his World Tour card to return to the top tier of the sport in 2013.

Wilson immediately made an impact, forging a reputation as a player who could beat anyone on his day as he built the consistency required to challenge at the highest level. By 2015, it had arrived — at the Shanghai Masters, Wilson came all the way through qualifying to stun Judd Trump in the final and secure his first ranking title.

The Welshman’s attritional style of play has not been to everyone’s taste, however. As Jones headed into his first World Championship final, he blasted “pathetic” criticism from opponents Stuart Bingham and Judd Trump, who both implied his frustrating tactics had affected their rhythm and ultimately contributed to their defeats.

Jones scraped away at an early 7-1 deficit but lost out in a dramatic black ball climax to the final frame of the day which let 12th seed Wilson off the hook and heading into Monday’s concluding sessions with an 11-6 lead.

Reflecting on his missed chance to move within three frames of his opponent, a visibly deflated Jones told the BBC: “It’s a miracle that I’m still in it, I played shocking. I’m absolutely knackered and I think if I’d had a decent night’s sleep last night I could have done better.”

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.

“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.”

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.

So the players will return tomorrow afternoon with Kyren Wilson leading 11-6. How different it would have been had Jak Jones only been trailing by three frames, rather than five, but he’s still in this match, just.

Jones will need a fast start on Monday if he is to become world champion. Join us then.

“It’s not only the scoreline, it was needing a snooker, it’s about the way the last frame was won. There was a lot of tension there, some good safety, so I was proud of how I held it together. I had a target of 11 in my head and I achieved it.”

“I’m absolutely knackered. If I had a decent night’s sleep last night I could have done something this morning. It’s a miracle I’m still in it. Hopefully I get a good night’s sleep tonight, come out flying tomorrow.”

Jones tries to break the deadlock with a bold, bold double across the table into the yellow pocket – it rocks in the jaws and bounces out!

Wilson will surely knock it in for the frame… he does! Wilson punches the air, shakes hands with Jones and marches out of the arena. Jones looks bereft.