Jak Jones ended up being the unlikely star of the first day of China Open qualifiers with a dramatic giant-killing of Judd Trump.
The Welshman – ranked 85 in the world – pinched the match in a deciding frame scoring a decisive break of 60 to add to the other four half-centuries he made in the contest.
This is a big win for Jones who has otherwise endured a poor season with just three other wins against professional opponents – beating David Grace in the opening round at the UK Championship, Lee Walker at the Northern Ireland Open and Fergal O’Brien in the European Masters.
He’s only earned just over £10,000 in prize money so far this season and needs a much improved second half of the campaign to retain his place on the tour.
This win though you would feel is massive and not only will provide him with a huge confidence boost from some huge matches ahead of him, but also comes in an event with big prize money on offer and therefore where a deep run could make a substantial difference to his prospects of avoiding tour relegation.
Jones has been in and around the professional ranks for a while now, first breaking onto the circuit in 2010 aged just 17. He has suffered the disappointment of losing his professional card twice before, but knows that a third time would be the most difficult one to take now into his mid-20s and at a time when he feels he should be establishing himself rather than merely fighting to stay afloat.
The Welshman boasts an impressive amateur record as winner of the European under-19 champion in 2010 and winner of the European Amateur Championship in 2016 when he most recently regained his professional status. He has struggled down the years to ever find any real consistency and will want this headline-making victory over Trump to kickstart a good run.
