Kyren Wilson reached a second World Snooker Championship final by downing David Gilbert 17-11 at the semi-final stage at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.
Wilson won five frames on the bounce on Friday to surge into a 14-10 overnight lead – just three frames away from victory – and although Gilbert won the first of the day on Saturday afternoon to close the gap, Wilson knuckled down and won three on the trot to seal victory. Having lost in the 2020 World Championship final to Ronnie O’Sullivan in front of a Covid-reduced crowd, the world No 12 will now walk out on Sunday in front of a packed Crucible crowd as the favourite to lift a first world title.
The other last-four encounter is a much grittier affair than the relatively free-flowing contest between Wilson and Gilbert proved to be. It has been tough sledding between Stuart Bingham and Jak Jones, who were unable to be separated after the first two sessions before Welshman Jones pulled into a 13-10 lead with five frames on the spin on Saturday morning.
The duo were pulled off early due to slow play but 2015 world champion Bingham did win the final frame of the morning with a century break to move just three behind going into the final session at 7pm this evening, with Wilson awaiting in the final.
Follow all the action from the World Snooker Championship below, and get the latest predictions and odds here:
World Snooker Championship updates – Stuart Bingham v Jak Jones
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Stuart Bingham 11-13 Jak Jones
The Crucible crowd roars for Stuart Bingham! He goes for an incredibly aggressive plant to the right corner with the cueball cannoning through reds and gets it! He also lands nicely on the blue.
Attacking shot well rewarded but then an unexpected miss! Rattles a simple red int he jaws of the left corner pocket. His lead is only 25-5 and Jak Jones is back at the table.
Luke Baker4 May 2024 20:05
Stuart Bingham 11-13 Jak Jones
Bingham in first again in frame 25 and he’ll be particularly happy because it’s a long red that he crunches into the heart of the corner pocket. He’ll need his long potting to improve in order to win this match, so that’s a good start.
But he gets a kick while potting the blue, he runs out of position and the break ends at 12.
Luke Baker4 May 2024 19:55
FRAME! Stuart Bingham 11-13 Jak Jones
In the end, it’s a break of 24 and Bingham wins the first frame of the evening to lead 13-11. Game on!
Nearly 40 minutes for that frame, continuing the trend of this match.
Luke Baker4 May 2024 19:47
Stuart Bingham 10-13 Jak Jones
A scrappy opening frame but eventually, Stuart Bingham will win it after Jak Jones gives away another four penalty points and the Englishman pots the decisive red.
He needed a quick start and will get one.
Luke Baker4 May 2024 19:47
Stuart Bingham 10-13 Jak Jones
Bingham has been struggling with his long potting so far in this semi-final and that continues. He misses a very makeable pot from long range to the right corner – his long-pot success rate is now below 40 per cent for the match.
Jones left a simple red to start but then he rattles the pink in the jaws of the middle pocket. It clatters from side to side but stays out! A let-off from Bingham. It was only the pace that kept it out.
Luke Baker4 May 2024 19:42
Stuart Bingham 10-13 Jak Jones
Bingham seems to be rattling along nicely but then misses a fairly routine red. The break ends and Bingham’s lead is 53-4 in the frame- but there’s plenty of points still available
Luke Baker4 May 2024 19:40
Stuart Bingham 10-13 Jak Jones
Eventually it’s Bingham who wins the safety battle as Jones makes a mistake and leaves a relatively simple pot on. The black is up the table but the pink is on its spot and the reds are well spread so it’s a decent scoring opportunity
Luke Baker4 May 2024 19:36
Stuart Bingham 10-13 Jak Jones
Jones accidentally flicks the blue with his cue to give Bingham five penalty points but no real damage done as he doesn’t leave a pot on. Another eight points then head to the 2015 champ as Jones misses contact trying to catch the very edge of a red.
22-4 to Bingham as the safety battle resumes in earnest.
Luke Baker4 May 2024 19:27
Stuart Bingham 10-13 Jak Jones
This break is tough going so far, running up and down to baulk and then battling to keep position by cannoning off the pack of reds. He can only make 9 before the break ends when he’s hampered on the blue and he plays safe.
Luke Baker4 May 2024 19:21
Stuart Bingham 10-13 Jak Jones
Bingham gives away four early penalty points with tough bridging over the brown ball but then crunches a long red into the left corner a few shots later. Nice nerve-settler that.
Tough to maintain position but he could make a few points at least here.
Luke Baker4 May 2024 19:19