Jak Jones slammed for snubbing 'no-brainer' after worst start to snooker final in 33 years

Jak Jones was criticised for not taking to the the practice tables after suffering a historically bad start to the World Snooker Championship final.

Pre-match favourite Kyren Wilson won the opening session 7-1 at the Crucible in Sheffield winning the opening seven on the spin, as Welsh qualifier Jones put in the worst start since Jimmy White struggled against John Parrott in 1991. The 30-year-old - playing in his first ever ranking final - did at least manage to win the eighth frame with a break of 65, celebrating with an ironic punch in the air.

But his performance has been slammed by six-time world champion Steve Davis, who was baffled that while Wilson dominated, Jones didn't go to the practice table. "He's been sitting in his chair for four frames. Why would you not go to the practice table?" a bemused Davis asked on the BBC.

"I don't understand why not. He's absolutely not even got out of the blocks, and he's expecting to pot what could be difficult shots. It's a no-brainer to me to go to the practice table."

Another former world campion, Ken Doherty, was more sympathetic towards Jones, saying during Sunday's opening session: "I feel terribly sorry for him at the moment he looks bereft of confidence, cutting a very lonely figure out there.

"And it does become embarrassing at times because you are expecting so much. He just hasn't performed. He is a bit like a rabbit in the headlights. He needs a frame. Just one frame, one frame out of this session. At least he can derive something from this. But at the moment he looks like a lost sheep."

Your turn! Should Jak Jones have gone to the practice table? Give us your verdict in the comments section

Kyren Wilson strutted his stuff against Jak Jones
(Image: George Wood/Getty Images)

In contrast, Wilson enjoyed a tremendous start, getting underway by compiling the first century break in the opening frame of a Crucible final since Stephen Hendry managed a whopping 136 against White in 1993. Wilson then managed 129 clearance, taking complete control with further breaks of 52, 66, 62, 90 and another century.

At that point, there were discussions as to whether the best-of-35 clash would even reach the final session on Monday night. But Jones put together a stirring comeback winning the evening session to secure an overnight score of 11-6.

Wilson goes into Monday hoping to avenge his defeat to Ronnie O'Sullivan in the 2020 final, having also finished as the runner-up at the 2018 Masters.

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