Hit me with your rhythm stick..? It's PATHETIC

Jak dubs slow play talk just excuses as he finally motors

- SHANE MacDERMOTT

JAK JONES hit back at critics of his slow play but kept his slim hopes of World Championship glory alive after one of the worst starts in Crucible final history.

The Welsh qualifier was blitzed in the opening session as he suffered the worst start in a Crucible showpiece since Jimmy White in 1991, falling 7-0 behind to Kyren Wilson.

Warrior Wilson, who was left heartbroken when he lost the 2020 showpiece to Ronnie O'Sullivan, was halfway there at 9-3 ahead when the players went to the mid-session interval in last night's session.

And blown away Jones was left living on a prayer with a mountain to climb, needing a Dennis Taylor-esque miracle.

But he regrouped to finish up 11-6 down overnight.