Jak Jones joins the ranks of surprise Crucible semi-finalists

The Welshman is not the first player to cause a big Crucible upset.

Published May 1

Jak Jones pulled off a major upset against former champion Judd Trump to book his place in the semi-finals of the World Snooker Championship for the first time.

The 30-year-old reached the quarter-finals on his Crucible debut last year but his only previous appearance in the last four of a ranking event was at the 2022 Gibraltar Open.

Here, the PA news agency picks out five more surprise semi-finalists in snooker’s showpiece event.

SI JIAHUI (2023)

Cazoo World Snooker Championship 2023 – Day 15 – The Crucible — Si Jiahui made a stunning Crucible debut in 2023 (Zac Goodwin/PA)

ALAN McMANUS (2016)

Betfred Snooker World Championship 2016 – Day Fourteen – Crucible Theatre — Alan McManus enjoyed a spectacular Crucible resurgence in 2016 (Mike Egerton/PA)

SHAUN MURPHY (2005)

Snooker – Embassy World Championship 2005 – Final – Shaun Murphy v Matthew Stevens – The Crucible — Qualifier Shaun Murphy roared all the way to the Crucible title (Gareth Copley/PA Archive)

ANDY HICKS (1995)

Snooker British Open/ Andy Hicks — Andy Hicks beat Steve Davis en route to the semi-finals in 1995 (Nick Potts/PA)

TERRY GRIFFITHS (1979)

Dennis Taylor and Terry Griffiths. — Terry Griffiths won the world snooker title as a qualifier in 1979 (PA Archive)