Mark Selby won the battle of the world champions as he saw off Luca Brecel 6-3 to reach the final of the Welsh Open.
Selby came through a final-frame decider against John Higgins on Friday afternoon and for a while on Saturday something similar seemed on the cards.
Having opened with a century break, Selby was twice pegged back before Brecel led 3-2 and Selby returned the favour to pinch a titanic sixth frame with a run of 60.
That might just have been the key moment as he produced two more half-century breaks in a run of four frames in succession to cross the finish line.
"The difference for me in the last few weeks has been that I have been winning scrappy frames, which I had struggled with previously for a few months," said Selby.
"Winning the Championship League gave me confidence. I have lacked consistency at times this season so it has been great this week to put a run together. I'll enjoy the final tomorrow but I will be trying my hardest and determined to win."
Selby will face Stephen Maguire on Sunday, where he'll look to win an event which gave him his first ranking title way back in 2008, after Maguire beat Ali Carter 6-4 in a lengthy battle on Saturday evening.
"It was a scrap from start to finish and I'm very happy to come out on the right end," said Maguire, the 2013 champion who last played a ranking final of any description in 2020.
"I have done well in the scrappy frames this week because I have not been scoring well, I haven't even made a century. Working with Chris (Small) has definitely helped me. A few months ago I was losing to players who I didn't feel I should be beating me. I made the call to Chris and he stripped my game back to basics. Maybe this is the reward.
"It's nice to be in the World Grand Prix now but for me it's all about trying to win the title. I'll only enjoy it tomorrow if I win."
