Englishman pots his way to first world snooker title

English player Kyren Wilson has won the world snooker championship for the first time, beating Jak Jones of Wales 18-14 in a match between two surprise finalists at the Crucible Theatre.

Wilson, who lost the 2020 final to Ronnie O'Sullivan, was never seriously troubled after flying to a 7-0 lead in the two-day final in Sheffield on Monday (Tuesday AEST). He was nearly in tears as he potted balls at the end of the final frame.

Neither the No. 12-ranked Wilson nor Jones, who is ranked No. 44 and came through qualifying, were showing any kind of form leading into the worlds to suggest they were ready to win snooker's biggest prize.

In a tournament full of surprises, O'Sullivan - who was seeking a modern-day-record eighth world title - and Judd Trump both exited in the quarter-finals. Wilson was the only semi-finalist who wasn't a qualifier.