Snooker

And then there were two — an unlikely two. Kyren Wilson (12) and Jak Jones (44) have won four matches inside the Crucible this week, booking their place in what could well be the most unpredictable final in years… Wilson has been the most consistent aggressive potter on the baize this week and in well deserving of his place in the final two, but Jak Jones’ tactically astute brand of snooker has seen him gain plenty of plaudits as he has ground down some of the best players on the tour. There will be a new name on the famous trophy this Bank Holiday Monday, but who’s? Let’s take a closer look at the final. Jak Jones could well be the biggest underdog ever to win a World Championship if he is to kiss the Silver Lady on Monday evening. Still, despite his incredible run in Sheffield, it’s hard not to back the experience and endurance of Kyren Wilson. Wilson finished runner-up in 2020 (a Covid-19 final held in front of no crowd) so will relish the opportunity to right the wrongs of four years ago and in all honesty he wouldn’t have expected to come into the final as a 1/3 favourite. Jones’ incredible stubbornness on the table in safety battles has seen him into his first-ever ranking final, but the long potting and aggression that Wilson has shown on the table this week will be hard for the 44th seed to quell. Jones has made a habit this week of taking advantage when his opponent has missed, but with just two centuries to his name in 53 frames won, Wilson won’t have nightmares about Jones’s high scoring when he’s in and amongst the balls. Speaking of nightmares, Wilson will have been in his pyjamas last night watching Jones finally dispatch Bingham at 10:30pm Jones may be a young pup in the snooker world, but stamina is a must in these marathon Crucible duels, and Wilson will be the fresher man come Sunday afternoon. We’re backing Jones to keep pace with Wilson in the opening exchanges until Wilson’s scoring power shines through and he runs for the finish. Another -3.5 handicap for Wilson to get the job done, like in the semis.