If Jack Jones defeats Kyren Wilson to win the World Snooker Championship title at the Crucible on Monday night, former champion Shaun Murphy says it will be “one of the biggest shocks in the sport”. I believe that I am deaf.
Jones, ranked 44th in the world before the tournament, is aiming to become only the fourth person in history to qualify and win the title.
It was first won by Alex Higgins in 1972 before the competition moved to Sheffield, followed by Jones and Welsh compatriot Terry Griffiths in 1979 and Shaun Murphy, the last player to achieve the feat, in 2005. won.
“If he's not (the biggest shocker), I feel like the finger was pointed directly at me back in 2005. No one had an advantage over anyone. I definitely I was ranked low,” Murphy told 5 Live.
“But I do understand that if Jack Jones wins this championship, it will not only be the biggest shock in the history of snooker, but it will be one of the biggest shocks in the history of the sport around the world.”
“This is the magnitude of the results we have seen so far.
“This guy came here last year, made his debut, arrived at the quarters. Then he disappeared for a whole season and apparently didn't know there were 20 other competitions around the world.”
“He showed up here again, very calm, just finished the draw and seemed completely calm. I just think something strange happened.”
Jones, 30, defeated Zhang Anda, Si Jiahui, world No. 2 Judd Trump and 2015 champion Stuart Bingham 17-12 in a grueling semi-final.
Wilson, 32, booked his second World Championship final with a comfortable 17-11 win over David Gilbert and will stand in front of Jones as he prepares for Sunday's opening session.
“I've known Kyren Wilson my whole life. We're from the same neck of the woods. I really like him and his family, they're lovely,” Murphy added.
“But I had a sneaky hunch that Jack Jones might do it.”
