image source, Getty Images
- author, Steve Sutcliffe at the Crucible Theater in Sheffield
- role, bbc sports journalist
Jack Jones led the shortened third session of the World Championship semi-finals by opening up a 13-10 lead over 2015 champion Stuart Bingham.
Bingham, who restarted at 8-8, took the first frame on Saturday morning, but Welsh qualifier Jones fought back with five consecutive frames and three half-centuries.
Bingham bounced back with an impressive 104 break, but the 21st frame in particular lasted more than 50 minutes, with both players taking lengthy bathroom breaks, meaning they were only able to complete seven of the eight scheduled frames.
Kyren Wilson holds a 14-10 lead over David Gilbert, with the last four fixtures ending at 14:30 BST.
World No. 44 Jones, who defeated Judd Trump in the quarter-finals, is aiming to become the lowest finalist since Sean Murphy (then No. 48) lifted the trophy in 2005.
Bingham takes punishment from unfazed Jones
It was a play peppered with mistakes by Bingham. At times during the contest, Bingham looked like a shadow of the player who eliminated seven-time champion Ronnie O’Sullivan in the last eight.
Bingham, who at 47 is aiming to become the Crucible’s oldest champion, was guilty of letting several safety shots slip.
Apart from a century in the final frame, Bingham struggled to find any rhythm in his play.
The world No. 29 was heavily penalized for failing to knock in the long green with a score of 9-9 and missing the black wide of the frame in the next frame.
His attempt to get four snookers extended into the 21st frame and ended when he inadvertently misplaced the pink. Still he had to give one snooker a reprieve.
He also got into position healthy in the 22nd frame before losing position, with a seemingly unfazed Jones once again taking advantage of the opportunity.