Kyren Wilson is full of confidence ahead of the Crucible final (Picture: Getty Images)
Kyren Wilson’s quarter-final win over John Higgins has given him all the confidence and belief that he could ask for ahead of this year’s World Snooker Championship final.
The Warrior is into his second Crucible final, taking on qualifier Jak Jones, who has caused a string of surprises on his way to the showpiece.
Jones has proved a very difficult puzzle to solve for the four men he has beaten so far at the Crucible, ousting Zhang Anda, Si Jiahui, Judd Trump and then Stuart Bingham in the semis.
Wilson is under no illusions that the world number 44 will be a tough test for him as well, but his fine win over Higgins has done wonders for his confidence.
The 32-year-old has not had a good season by his standards, but quickly found some form by comfortably beating Dominic Dale and Joe O’Connor in the first two rounds in Sheffield.
Then came the impressive 13-8 win over Higgins, with the four-time champion full of praise for the winner.
‘He just overpowered me,’ said Higgins. ‘He was very powerful, I thought he hit the ball fantastic. The conditions weren’t great but he was just over-riding that because he was getting through the ball so well. The best man won. He was by far the better player.’
Jak Jones has produced a remarkable run to the final (Picture: Getty Images)
With the tough, steady Jones now ahead of him in the final, Wilson feels prepared for anything.
‘I’ve played Jak a few times, fantastic all round player, good cueist,’ said Wilson. ‘Seems quite hungry, quite determined and obviously he’s a player that suits the Crucible and had some good recent success here. He’s shown what a good all-round player he is.
‘I feel like I can handle any situation really. Especially when you’re playing someone like John Higgins who has the best all-round game that I’ve ever seen and had to compete with.
‘If you can take someone apart like that and he can come off and say such kind words. It just fills you with belief and it gives me the confidence that I can handle any player or any situation, especially in this venue.’
Jones is not quite talking himself up to the same extent, admitting that he doesn’t really feel that he is playing good stuff so far, although he recognises that reaching the final without his best game is a positive.
‘I don’t feel like I’ve played well, I didn’t come here with any confidence,’ Jones told Eurosport. ‘If anything I feel like I wish I was putting something better on for the people watching.
‘I suppose if I’m winning when I feel like that it can only get better.’
MORE : Stuart Bingham ‘gutted’ after ’embarrassing’ performance against Jak Jones
MORE : Ronnie O’Sullivan on what Kyren Wilson is doing better than anybody at the Crucible
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