World Championship: Jones ‘motivated’ by social media criticism

World Championship semi-finalist Jak Jones says criticism on social media only “motivates” him to perform even better.

The world number 44 has beaten Zhang Anda, Si Jiahui and Judd Trump on his way to the last four but has attracted negative comments for his style of play.

Jones, who is aiming to become the first qualifier to win the world title since Shaun Murphy in 2005, said: “I am not the first person to have it, every player gets it.

“I like seeing stuff like that as much as good things. It kind of motivates me.”

The Welshman, 30, reached the quarter-finals on his Crucible debut 12 months ago and is featuring in only the second semi-final of his career.

His calm demeanour, methodical style and superb safety play has underpinned another fine run in Sheffield.

Australia’s 2010 world champion Neil Robertson told BBC Sport that Jones is among “the top five safety players in the world”, and “it is not his fault that he knocks other players out of their rhythm”.

However, against world number two Trump, he also compiled seven half centuries and two century breaks – vastly superior to the Englishman who began with a wonderful 110 but then constructed just two half-century breaks thereafter.

And he feels attacks about his manner or game are totally unwarranted.

“I saw one comment, well a few that weren’t very nice,” Jones added:

“I know every player gets it so I just put it on there. I probably shouldn’t have done it but it’s people sitting at home writing stuff on social media, slagging people off.

“I think I finished the second session with a faster shot time than him [Trump].”