Jak Jones like Ronnie O'Sullivan? Alan McManus draws comparisons after labeling Jones a 'top player' who 'has a lot to offer this game'
Updated 27/02/2026 at 14:58 GMT
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The 2025/26 season has not been a standout one for Jak Jones, with a semi-final appearance at the English Open his best run, but he looked good in his narrow defeat to Neil Robertson in the third round of the Welsh Open, and Alan McManus feels the Welshman has much to look forward to. Watch and stream the 2025/26 snooker season, including the Welsh Open, live on TNT Sports and discovery+
McManus names 'top player' who shows 'a lot of O'Sullivan' qualities
Video credit: TNT Sports
Alan McManus has drawn comparisons between Ronnie O’Sullivan and Jak Jones, and feels the latter "has a lot to offer this game".
Jones is still searching for a first ranking title, which places him a long way behind seven-time world champion O'Sullivan in terms of achievements in the game.
Despite being without a ranking title to his name, Jones has cut his teeth at the highest level - and reached the final of the World Championship in 2024.
Jones also has a quarter-final appearance at the Crucible on his record in 2023, while he fell at the first hurdle last year to eventual winner Zhao Xintong.
The 32-year-old’s form this season has been patchy, with a run to the semi-finals of the English Open his best performance, but he showed brighter signs in reaching the third round of the Welsh Open - where he lost a decider to Neil Robertson.
Jones is ranked 19th in the world and will have to work his way through qualifying for this year’s World Championship, but McManus feels he has been doing the right things and expects him to get his reward.
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"I think there is a lot of Ronnie O’Sullivan in Jak Jones," McManus said on TNT Sports' coverage of the Welsh Open. "I mean that, technically speaking.
"He does not play slowly, but he’s measured and that combination is difficult.
"He is a beautiful technician, plays all the right shots and is a time-served pro. He is seasoned, he has put in the hard yards and did the right things the last three or four years in terms of his prep."
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Video credit: TNT Sports
A title has so far eluded Jones, but McManus feels he is in the upper echelons of the game.
"He has a lot to offer this game going forward, Jak," McManus said. "He is a top player."
Robertson sights set on silverware
After securing a win over Jones in dramatic circumstances, Robertson is eager to add to the Saudi Arabia Masters title he won in August.
"I have had to keep my composure for the last few months because things haven't quite gone my way," Robertson said. "I have put myself in positions to win tournaments but lost a few times to the eventual champion.
"Hopefully, I can still add some more silverware this season. After I won the title in Saudi at the start of the season, along with Joe [Perry] and [psychologist] Helen, we agreed I needed to stay focused and try to add more. I feel fresh, and I'm looking forward to the last few tournaments.
"These Home Nations events are like a marathon, there are so many people at the start, then once you get to the quarter-finals it's like coming into the last bend. Now it's go-for-it mode, I will be aggressive and hope that's enough to win."
Watch and stream the 2025/26 snooker season, including the Welsh Open, live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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