China Open: Mark Selby wins to set-up Barry Hawkins showdown
Mark Selby's return to form continued as he edged past Kyren Wilson to reach the final of the China Open.
The Leicester cueman won five of the first six frames but was ultimately made to work hard for a 10-8 victory over Wilson, who had drawn level at 8-8.
It was a tense affair throughout, with 18 frames passing without a century - although 15 of them included a half-century as Selby gained a confidence-boosting success.
"Kyren just wouldn’t lie down, even when I went 8-5 up," said Selby, who beat Mark Williams in the final of this event last year.
"He potted some great long balls and really put me under it. I was really happy with the way I won the last two frames. I was still confident at 8-8 because it wasn’t as if I had missed many chances."
Next for Selby is a clash with Barry Hawkins in Sunday's final, after the Kent potter beat Neil Robertson 10-6.
Sky Bet make Selby their 1/2 favourite, with Hawkins on offer at 6/4.
Hawkins registered breaks of 124 and 101 in a high-quality affair, eventually putting his fellow left-hander to bed by taking frames 15 and 16.
Hawkins, runner-up at the Welsh Open last month, is into his seventh career ranking final and first in China.
"The match was a high standard throughout, neither of us missed many balls," said the 38-year-old.
"I’m delighted to beat Neil because he is a top-class player and he was playing well.
"After a poor start to the season, to have two finals in the last two big tournaments I have played is unbelievable. It has turned my season around and given me a lift going into the World Championship.
"It’s great to have this run in such a huge event. If I win the tournament it will be my biggest ever payday and that’s a massive incentive."