Kyren Wilson claimed his first World Snooker Championship despite a nervy fightback from Jak Jones at the Crucible.
The 32-year-old Englishman held a 15-10 advantage going into Monday’s final session in Sheffield and was soon a frame away from victory at 17-11.
Welshman Jones – just the ninth qualifier to reach the Crucible final in the past 47 years – had battled back from an early 7-0 deficit and he showed more grit to reel off three straight frames and close the gap to 17-14.
However Wilson – who had lost 18-8 to Ronnie O’Sullivan in his only other previous appearance on this stage in 2020 – held his nerve with a match-winning break of 42 in the decisive 32nd frame
The World No12 claimed the £500,000 top prize and told BBC Sport: “It means so much to us all. My mum and dad have remortgaged and sacrificed their whole lives to get me here.
“I have dreamed of this moment. It was so nice to have the family there because we have been on a real rollercoaster of a journey since I was six years old.”
‘The Warrior,’ who hails from Kettering, immediately targeted another Crucible crown, adding: “I believe I can be a multiple World Champion and I’d be disappointed if I only landed one.
“That first one has got to be the hardest. I’ve got it off my back and nobody can take that away from me.”
World No44 Jones, who began the tournament as a 200-1 outsider, told BBC Sport: “It’s been an unbelievable tournament for me. About a month ago I was twitching in my first qualifying match. It’s been a long month but I’m happy with it.
“I am proud because I don’t think I have played that well, so to beat some of the best players in the world and get to a final, and come so close to winning, gives me confidence.”
