Jamie Jones into Quarter Finals
Jamie Jones continued his remarkable Crucible debut, beating Andrew Higginson to book a place in the World Championship quarter finals.
Jones started the final session of the match holding a 10-6 advantage after his superb play in the second session, but he had to endure a big fight back by Andrew Higginson on the resumption.
Jones couldn’t get going and the Widnes man chipped relentlessly away at the lead until he brought the match level at 10-10 going into the final interval.
That came at just the right time for Jones, who returned to the arena rejuvenated.
Jones rattled in a fifty break to get ahead again and then produced a brilliant 135 clearance to stand within a frame of victory.
Jamie Jones and family
The Neath man took control of the next and kept Higginson at bay to close out a 13-10 victory.
“I’m just relieved really,” admitted Jones.
“I was 10-6 up but I just couldn’t get going. Although I potted some good balls, Andrew [Higginson] played really well the first four frames.
“I went to my dressing room at 10-10 and just thought it’s the best of five now. I did well to get out of my head what had happened in the first four frames.
“At 10-10 and it’s first to 13 it’s become a bit of a race. I managed to get in and made a couple of good breaks and I potted the important balls when I needed to. The 135 came at the right time. It kicked me into gear again.
“I won two matches to get here, so now I’ve had four long matches, but I still feel pretty fresh and I can’t wait for my next match now.
“I wasn’t surprised that Ali [Carter] beat Judd [Trump]. Nothing surprises me these days. I did play Ali once and I won so I hope that’s a good omen.
During an earlier press conference Ronnie O’Sullivan had declared that any player left in the event could be the winner.
“Oh that’s a big compliment” said Jones.
“I’m just turning up each day and trying my guts out. If that’s good enugh at the end of week to win then brilliant.
“You’re going to have to scrape me off the table. I’m going to be here until the end hopefully.
“I love the Crucible. In patches I’ve been comfortable out here, if I’m amongst the balls I totally forget where I am, but it’s such a lonely place out there too; if you lose three or four frames and you’re just sat there in your chair. But I love it here.
“I’m going to try and get a good night’s sleep, but I’m not sure I will. I tend not to be able to sleep after these big matches.
“I have surprised myself a bit here. I came up here playing very well but I didn’t think I’d handle the Crucible as good as I have. To win two matches on debut is pretty good.
“Before a match I just tell myself ‘I play on the same table every day, it’s got the same 6 pockets’. I try and go out there with that sort of attitude. It’s very difficult sometimes but I think I’ve managed to do that this week. When the chances have come along I’ve managed to take them.
“My life has changed already. When I beat Shaun [Murphy] and I’ve gone home, people were coming up to me in the street as I walked round town.
“Up here I’m in a little bubble. I’ve got a couple of friends and family with me and I just stick with them so I don’t really know what’s going on elsewhere, which I think is a good thing. I’m just keeping focussed on my snooker.
“I think I’ve got my feet on the ground. I’m not really like Judd when he did well here last year. I think my mum would kill me if I went out and spent all my money on a car!
“I don’t come from a well off family so I think my family will always help me keep my feet on the ground, no matter how well I might do here. I did buy myself a little Toyota last year, so I might be temped to trade that in for something a bit better!”
Jones takes on Ali Carter in the Quarter Finals and that match starts out at 2.30pm on Tuesday.
You can also follow Jamie on twitter @thejoneskid147.
