World Snooker Championship 2023: Neil Robertson felt Jak Jones ‘was there for the taking’ during shock loss

Neil Robertson was left to reflect on what might have been, as he felt Jak Jones “was there for the taking” during the Australian’s 13-7 loss in the second round of the World Championship.

After they had shared the opening session 4-4, Jones stretched away in the second to lead 10-6 going into Saturday afternoon.

Robertson began well by taking the opening frame and felt the Crucible debutant was on shaky ground, but the 2010 champion missed a chance and Jones grew in confidence before closing out his victory.

Passing up that opportunity in the 18th frame was what Robertson admitted hurt the most.

“Today he was there for the taking, that’s what is disappointing,” Robertson said. “I made a good clearance to go 10-7, but then missed the yellow in the next frame. If I had gone 10-8 I probably would have been favourite.

“He held himself together well and made a great break in the last frame.

“He will be a tough match for Mark Allen if he [Jones] plays the way he did yesterday.”

Jones’ deliberate style of play is not one that suits Robertson, and the Australian praised the Welshman for playing to his strengths.

“It was a different test, the complete opposite style of play,” Robertson said. “He did all the simple things really well.

“I have played him before so I know how tough he is, and he has improved a lot as a player.

“His safety was incredible throughout the match. I put him in awkward positions and then I would come back to the table in a worse position.”

Jimmy White was impressed with how Jones went about his snooker.

“He was brilliant,” White said in the Eurosport studio. “He went 3-0 up and did not put a foot wrong.

“He just played his game, got on with what he does.

“He has a fantastic technique, he completely outplayed Neil Robertson and he showed everybody that he is going to be around for a long, long time.

“He is very consistent, he has got every part of his game and he is in his own bubble.

“I like the way he is learning and improving.”

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