Stephen Hendry
Seven-time world champion on BBC Two

So important for Kyren to make hay while the sun shines, as it were.

He'll be able to sense his opponent hasn't settled yet so can you pile as many frames as possible on the scoreboard while he isn't settled?

James Stevenson: Kyren Wilson means business then.

Kyren Wilson is going about his business very calmly here, another impressive break up into the 40s.

One for the almanac from earlier.

The handshake. The trophy. The Crucible.

Iconic.

Image source, PA Media

Dennis Taylor
1985 world champion on BBC Two

He hasn't settled just yet which is understandable. It's his first ever final.

Jones, though, is well shy of the pocket with a blue to the corner after his opening red - and the opportunity reverts back to Kyren Wilson.

More of a cagey frame this second one, the majority of reds bunched to the left of the pink and black as the players look at them.

But Jak Jones leaves a red sticking out. Kyren Wilson needs no second invitation but misses a pot he would have probably have expected to get, leaving the Welshman a chance.

Hazel Irvine
Presenter on BBC TV

Look at the contrasting paths of these men.

Jak Jones has played just shy of 46 hours of snooker to get here for this final. He's come through qualifying - this is his seventh match.

Kyren Wilson has played 22 and a half hours fewer.

Jak Jones said he was running on adrenalin in his semi-final last night and I wonder what bearing that may or may not have on the match.

Image source, .

Stephen Hendry
Seven-time world champion on BBC Two

Jak Jones just has to trust his game - it's got him this far. He just has to trust that it's going to be good enough.

Kyren Wilson tries to replicate his recipe for success from the opening frame by going for a long red - but this one stays out and he's very lucky to hide it behind the black, leaving Jak Jones zilch, zip, nada, nothing.

These players both turned professional in 2020 but it's not unfair to say that Kyren Wilson has enjoyed far more success of the two.

Jak Jones is yet to win a ranking event - and what a way it would be to break that duck.

Wilson has won four of their five previous meetings including the most recent - a 6-0 shellacking in the 2021 UK Championship.

But Jones did triumph 5-4 in the German Masters earlier that year - with their other three encounters having come in minor events or Q-School tour qualifiers.

Stephen Hendry
Seven-time world champion on BBC Two

A fantastic way to start the final - very impressive. He's really stamping his authority on this match early, Kyren Wilson.

We're here for the best part of two days, so it would be great to hear your chat as we go along.

First up, we want to know who you are backing. Thumbs up for Kyren Wilson or thumbs down if you're with Jak Jones.

We'll update you with the 'result' a bit later.

Let us know who you want to win, why, where you're following from and anything else of note via #bbcsnooker, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

Dennis Taylor
1985 world champion on BBC Two

Great champions seem to start the opening frame in style.

The gentleman sitting next to me, seven-times world champion Stephen Hendry, did this so many times in the first frame of his matches here at the Crucible.

Wilson starts with 129 clearancepublished at 13:27 British Summer Time 5 May

13:27 BST 5 May

Wilson 1-0 Jones

A brilliant shot on the blue to bring the final red off the cushion into a pot-able position.

He pots it with the rest and then another blue to bring up the century. Superb start from the 'Warrior' with a 129 total clearance.

Opening frame long since in the bag, the question is whether Kyren Wilson can begin with a century.

He needs the final two reds - both awkwardly positioned - with colours.

Stephen Hendry
Seven-time world champion on BBC Two

I think this is going to be Kyren's path to winning this final, if he can consistently get in through his long game and win frames in one visit. Don't get embroiled in tactical exchanges.

Kyren Wilson controlling the cue ball quite beautifully, his break up to 56 and only a couple more reds needed to wrap up this opening frame.

World number three Mark Allen has sent his best wishes to both players.

And he also has a word for referee Paul Collier, for his last match on the World Snooker Tour.

What a way to bow out.

Image source, .

Dennis Taylor
1985 world champion on BBC Two

With the reds as they are, this is an early opportunity to settle down.