Ronnie O'Sullivan has remained on course for a seventh world title after defeating John Higgins by a 17-11 scoreline in the semi-finals.
Since the opening session in which Higgins remained on a par with the Englishman, O'Sullivan has been in control and reached the concluding session on Saturday requiring just two frames
To his credit, Scotsman Higgins showed his battling qualities to claim two of the opening three frames, but O'Sullivan took his opportunity in the 28th frame, compiling his 17th 50+ break of the contest to set up a showdown with Judd Trump.
If O'Sullivan found a comfortable way through to the final, Trump progressed in contrasting fashion having witnessed Mark Williams overturn a 12-5 deficit to move to within one frame of victory.
The resilience of the legendary Welshman was astonishing, getting back to 14-14 and then holding a 16-15 lead, but Trump came through a breathlessly tense closing two frames, establishing a sizable lead in the decider and keeping Williams at bay as he attempted to find three snookers.
Trump is now in a third final at the Crucible, his solitary triumph coming in 2019, but O'Sullivan heads into the showpiece looking to match Stephen Hendry's total of seven world crowns.
Darren Plant
