CWMBRAN’S Jak Jones has vowed to go one better after his World Championship fightback fell short.

The 30-year-old from Fairwater was beaten 18-14 in the final of the famous tournament at the Crucible on Sunday, but after giving Kyren Wilson a scare.

The Welsh qualifier looked doomed after losing the first seven frames but staged a remarkable comeback and even threatened a maximum in the 30th frame before running aground after potting the first 12 reds and blacks.

Jones’ first target at the start of the final day had been simply to avoid the indignity of becoming only the third player, after Jimmy White in 1993 and John Parrott in 1989, to lose the world final with a session to spare.

Instead, he fought back and reeled off three frames on the spin from 17-11 down before Wilson finally got the job done.

Jones pocketed £200,000 for finishing as runner-up and has leapt 30 places to world number one after making his first ranking final, joining the elite top 16 for the first time.

Now the Gwent potter is aiming repeat his heroics, and reap the rewards of going so close.

"I understand why it's a surprise to everyone around the world but it wasn’t so much of a surprise for me,” said Jones.

"I've learnt a lot and hopefully I can win it one day. I've always had the belief that I could win it one day. I got very close this time. I will win it in the future.

"I feel like I didn’t play my best here, basically my B and C game, so the fact that I can come here, come so close to winning, it gives me motivation and hope for the future."

South Wales Argus: QUALIFIER: Cwmbran's Jak Jones at the 2024 World ChampionshipQUALIFIER: Cwmbran's Jak Jones at the 2024 World Championship (Image: PA)

Jones got through qualifying and then beat Zhang Anda, Si Jiahui, world number three Judd Trump and Stuart Bingham on his way to the final.

"Before the tournament started, had you said I would have ended the season in the top 16 I would never have believed you," Jones said.

"That's a major plus for me and it gives me a lot of confidence and hopefully I can build on it.

"It's been an unbelievable tournament for me. About a month ago I was twitching in my first qualifying match. It's been a long month but I'm happy with it."

The champion praised Jones after he kept digging deep from tough positions.

Wilson said: "He was so tough and I don't know if there's many people left in Wales the amount that were cheering for him! They made it a fantastic atmosphere.

"Me and Jak have come through the junior ranks together. This is Jak's first final, let alone a World final, and he's conducted himself in an amazing fashion and I'm sure he'll be back.”