UK Championship snooker results and news: Neil Robertson and Judd Trump into final

This wasn't quite as one-sided as the European Masters final in which Robertson whitewashed Zhou, but a 6-2 victory came with few moments of alarm - and the promising young Chinese needed a touch of luck to register his first frame by a point for all he later produced a sumptuous 141 clearance.

Robertson though looked in imperious form throughout, breaks of 125, 118 and 104 putting him within reach of the final, and once he'd finished watching Zhou's silky contribution in frame eight he was soon back among the balls to complete the job with a run of 89.

In total, he missed just nine attempts at a pot and while there will be other days for his opponent, here he was taught a lesson by one of the finest players of his generation.

It's Robertson's first appearance in a Triple Crown final since his victory in this event five years ago, the second time he's won it. And the barrier to an overdue, top-level title could not be taller, with Judd Trump through to face him after beating Lu Ning by the same scoreline.

"This is the best I've ever felt in my game," said Robertson.

"It's great to see the reward for the consistent performance I've been putting in this year. It's another final, and another opportunity to win a big tournament.

"The biggest thing, watching Ronnie in the Worlds, I came away from my match with (Mark Selby) thinking that 'my safety is good, it's just not putting anyone under pressure'. I was watching Ronnie play safe and he's opening up the balls and backing himself to get a good white, then you're asking your opponent to play a good shot in return.

"I think I've been doing that this week. I've been playing the thicker safeties, getting the balls open, so it puts your opponent under a lot of pressure. That's the sort of mindset I've been in this season."

Trump wasn't quite as impressive but still made two centuries and threatened a maximum as he reached the final of the event for the first time since 2014.

The world champion appeared on course to make the third 147 of the tournament when potting 13 reds in the fourth frame, but it was the 13th black which cost him as the ball stopped one roll short of the pocket.

That marked a brief turning of the tide as Lu came back from the interval to pinch the next frame with a brave, blue-pink finish, but Trump closed the door with breaks of 54, 55 and 113 - the latter his highest of the tournament to earn a relatively early night.

"It was tough really, the fire wasn't really there tonight - I didn't really know what to expect," said Trump. "A bit up and down, hopefully I've saved my best for the final.

"He didn't have the best head - I thought if I could get on top, it could go downhill quickly."

Asked about the black which cost him a potential maximum, Trump said: "I thought it was in. You normally know when you leave it short, but I didn't think it was short."

As for the final, he confessed to the petrol tank being close to empty - but vowed not to use that as an excuse.

"Neil has found his form again, and that's driving me to be the best I can be. I'm very tired now. It's one more push. No excuses. This is a massive final for me."