Jak Jones Shocks Stuart Bingham to Secure World Championship Final Berth

Stuart Bingham’s aspirations of becoming the oldest World Snooker Champion came to an end on Saturday evening, as Welsh qualifier Jak Jones produced a captivating performance to claim a 17-12 victory in their semi-final clash at the Crucible.

Bingham, aiming to etch his name into the history books at the age of 47, struggled to replicate the form that saw him triumph over Ronnie O’Sullivan in the previous round. In contrast, Jones, ranked 44th, remained composed throughout the encounter, setting the stage for an unlikely final showdown against Kyren Wilson on Sunday.

The pivotal moment arrived on Saturday evening when Bingham, trailing 13-11, faltered with a crucial long green and black off the spot. A risky safety shot on the green further compounded his woes after a sensational yellow pot, ultimately extending Jones’ lead to 14-11. From there, Jones capitalized on the opportunity, showcasing his mettle with breaks of 66, 70, and 58 to secure a remarkable victory and secure his spot in the final.

24hscore

In the aftermath of his triumph, Jones expressed his overwhelming pride at reaching the pinnacle of one of snooker’s most prestigious events. Reflecting on his journey to the final, Jones acknowledged the challenges he faced and emphasized his delight at defying the odds.

Bingham, the favored contender to progress to the final, was left disheartened by his missed opportunities, lamenting his performance as “embarrassing” and expressing his dissatisfaction with his time at the table.

As Jones prepares to face Wilson in the World Championship final, the stage is set for a thrilling best-of-35 frames encounter scheduled for 14:00 CET on Sunday.