In a clash that defied expectations, Welsh underdog Jak Jones and seasoned veteran Stuart Bingham engaged in a thrilling battle for a coveted spot in the final of the 2024 World Snooker Championship. The Crucible Theatre in Sheffield bore witness to an intense showdown as both players showcased their mettle, having ousted tournament favourites Judd Trump and Ronnie O’Sullivan in the quarterfinals to earn their place on the green baize.

The opening session set the tone for a fiercely contested encounter, with Bingham initially asserting dominance with a commanding 3-0 lead, fuelled by impressive breaks of 76 and 94. However, Jones staged a remarkable comeback, matching his opponent frame for frame to draw level at 3-3. The seesaw battle continued with each player trading blows, ultimately culminating in a deadlock at 4-4 as the first session reached its conclusion.

As the match progressed into the second session, echoes of the initial exchanges reverberated, with parity maintained at 8-8. Bingham injected a moment of brilliance with a sublime century break of 107 in the 10th frame, adding to the spectacle unfolding on the Crucible stage.

Yet, it was in the third session that Jak Jones truly seized control of proceedings, demonstrating his resilience and skill. Despite conceding the 17th frame, the Welsh contender surged ahead, claiming five consecutive frames, highlighted by breaks of 53, 54, and 63, to establish a commanding 13-9 advantage. 

Ball-run Bingham, refusing to relent, countered with a display of his own prowess, notching his second century of the match with a composed break of 104 to narrow the deficit to 13-10. 

Image credit: WST

As anticipation reached its zenith at the Crucible Theatre for the pivotal fourth and final session of the semi-final clash between Bingham and Jones, the air crackled with palpable tension between the adversaries.

The deliberate slow pace of play persisted into the opening frame of the session, with little to separate the contenders until a crucial error by Jones in the waning moments of the almost 40-minute frame allowed Bingham to seize a commanding 77-point lead, narrowing the deficit to 13-11.

The 25th frame unfolded in a similar fashion, stretching over 35 minutes. While Bingham appeared poised for victory, a costly lapse in judgment on the green opened the door for Jones to capitalise, clearing the colours to clinch his first frame of the session.

Tempo momentarily accelerated as Jones unleashed a break of 65 in the 26th frame, extending his lead to 15-11. 

However, a return to normalcy ensued as another protracted 45-minute frame transpired, culminating in Bingham's clearance following a tense, over 20-minute safety exchange around the final four reds. 

With the scoreboard reading 15-12, both players braced themselves for a potential post-midnight denouement given the lingering pace of play.

After the mid-session break, Bingham eyed an opportunity to seize another frame. However, an overhit shot on the black early in the frame provided an opening for Jones, who capitalised with a composed break of 70. 

Despite Bingham's efforts to stage a comeback, needing two snookers, his subsequent foul, potting the cue ball, brought Jones within touching distance of the World Championship final.

Jones initiated the next frame with a composed break of 44, yet a missed long red provided Bingham with an opportunity. Despite the chance, Bingham couldn’t jump at the chance, allowing the Silent Assassin to clinch victory and book his place in the world final with a decisive 17-12 win.

This victory marks a significant milestone for Jak Jones, not only securing his inaugural World Championship final berth but also marking his debut appearance in a professional ranking final.