FATIGUED Jak Jones suffered the worst start to a Crucible final for 33 years.
And though he avoided a first-session whitewash, the qualifier has to mount a Dennis Taylor-style comeback to scoop the £500,000 top prize.
The Welshman, 30, could not have imagined a more terrible beginning to his maiden appearance in the business end of the World Snooker Championship.
The Silent Assassin watched hopelessly from his chair as pre-match favourite Kyren Wilson ended the opening session with a 7-1 lead.
Liverpool cueist John Parrott won the opening seven frames of the 1991 World final against Jimmy White before going on to prevail 18-11.
At least Jones managed to nab the eighth frame with a break of 65, which he celebrated with an ironic punch in the air.
Had …