Jak Jones enjoyed a superb run at the Crucible this year (Picture: Getty Images)

Jak Jones believes he can get his hands on a trophy in the near future, after his superb Crucible debut this year and fine start to the new season.

The 29-year-old did brilliantly just to get to the Crucible, beating Barry Hawkins in the final qualifying round, then shone on the sport’s most iconic stage, beating Ali Carter and Neil Robertson.

He fell to Mark Allen in the quarter-finals but it was a remarkable Crucible debut for the Welshman and he did not let that momentum slip away.

Working hard over the gap between seasons has paid off as he topped his first Championship League group this week, finishing ahead of Jamie Jones, Dean Young and Rebecca Kenna.

Jones told WST: ‘I went on holiday with my wife and after that I started practising a bit again.

‘I haven’t had a couple of months off like some players like to do. I was just trying to keep my arm in and I will be playing 100% from now.

‘I finished the season quite well in the end so I wanted to keep that form going into the new season and start as well as I could. I didn’t want to let it all go to waste. In this game if you are playing well and confident then you need to make the most of it. In previous years I have had a couple of months off but I’ve taken a different approach this time.’

Jones starts the season ranked 37 in the world (Picture: Getty Images)

Jones had shown promise before, reaching an English Open quarter-final and widely being known as a tough opponent to deal with, but he now appears to have stepped up a level.

He feels like he’s playing the snooker of his life and believes that a tournament win is not too far away if he can keep going on the path he is following.

‘It is the best I‘ve felt,’ he said. ‘Winning tournaments is unbelievably hard, no matter who you are. However, I feel I can do it soon.

‘It is easier said than done. I’m definitely more hungry for success now. I feel that although it was the quarter-final, I was quite close to the one-table setup which is the pinnacle of the sport. I want to be in those situations more and be in the deep end of tournaments.

‘I feel a lot better going into this season and I have a lot more expectation. I am looking forward to the season ahead. It is always good to start a season well so to win my group at the Championship League was great.’

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‘I’m definitely more hungry for success now.’