image source, Getty Images
- author, Steve Sutcliffe at the Crucible Theater in Sheffield
- role, bbc sports journalist
Kyren Wilson showed some brilliant potting to lead Jack Jones 7-1 in the World Championship final.
The Englishman started in great style with his first century break in the opening frame of a Crucible final since Stephen Hendry scored 136 against Jimmy White in 1993.
His 129 clearance set the tone and Wilson was in complete control with further century breaks of 52, 66, 62 and 90.
Welsh qualifier Jones was competing in his first ranking final and understandably struggled to compose himself, but pumped his fists of joy after posting a break of 65 en route to winning the final frame of the session. Ta.
The match resumes tonight at 19:00 BST, but Jones will need to be at his best to put serious pressure on Wilson.
In the 1985 blackball final, world No. 44 Dennis Taylor famously won against Steve Davis after losing 7-0 in the first session, but it took match play to mount a similar exciting fightback. You will need to demonstrate all your qualities.
Wilson passes through the gears
Wilson reached his second world final peacefully after losing 18-8 to Ronnie O'Sullivan in 2020 and said this time he was ready to handle “whatever is thrown at us”.
But in a session with the player he first faced at Q School 13 years ago, he fought through without any serious questions being asked, and his performance only underlined his credentials as world champion in waiting.
A brilliant long red ushered in a sublime 129 break, followed by a half-century at number two.
Wilson, aiming for his sixth ranking title, brutally punished Jones, who missed a black in the top left corner of the frame when it appeared the Welshman would be in trouble.
And he continued to extend his advantage every time his opponent gave him a chance.
When Wilson led 7-0, it was the first time this scoreline had been seen in a world final since John Parrott led Jimmy White by that margin in 1991.
