Judd Trump will face Ding Junhui in the final of the World Open in Yushan, China.
Defending World Open champion Trump beat world number 52 Jackson Page 6-2 to book his place in Sunday’s final.
China’s Ding won 6-5 against Neil Robertson as he twice came from behind to win his semi-final.
The final will be the first time the two have met in a competitive final since the 2014 German Masters, which Ding won 8-5.
In the first semi-final, Trump produced a break of 122 to take an early lead but Wales’ Page, playing in his first ever semi-final at a ranking event, showed he was capable of providing a test for the Englishman.
They were level at 2-2 but Trump then took control, winning the final four frames.
World number two Trump has now reached back-to-back World Open finals, having won the most recent edition in 2019.
World number nine Ding and Australian world number 15 Robertson played out a thriller in the second semi-final, with Robertson making two breaks of over 100 (118 and 128).
Ding fought back from 4-1 and then 5-4 down to win in the final frame. Like Trump, Ding is a one-time World Open champion, winning it in 2017.
Trump will be aiming for his fifth title of the season in Sunday’s final before the World Championships start next month in Sheffield.
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Judd Trump is one win away from a fifth ranking title of the season after beating Jackson Page in the semi-finals of the World Open.
Trump will face China’s Ding Junhui in the final in Yushan after beating an unfortunate Page 6-2, the Welshman cutting his finger while taking his cue out of its case before the match.
“The buckle of the case ripped the skin on my finger,” Page said. “I was praying for it not to bleed, but then it started bleeding.
“It was Jackson’s first semi-final and he didn’t really settle, my experience probably made the difference.
“I haven’t played that well this week, I have scraped my way through with sheer determination, but that has been the case at other tournaments I have won this season. Hopefully things click in the final.”
Victory in the final would give world number two Trump a 28th career ranking title, moving him level with Steve Davis on the all-time list and behind only Ronnie O’Sullivan, Stephen Hendry and John Higgins.
The other semi-final proved a tense affair between Ding and Neil Robertson, which went to a deciding frame.
Breaks of 67 and 118 had seen Robertson open up an early 3-1 lead.
Ding, though, responded with two half-century runs of his own to edge back in front.
Robertson made 128 in the ninth frame despite becoming frustrated with the frequent interruptions from mobile phones in the noisy crowd, the Australian appearing to point out one serial offender to the referee.
Judd sympathy with Page
Judd Trump admits he knew Jackson Page’s finger woe would “distract” him.
In-form Trump, a 6-2 winner, didn’t need much help, especially as he opened with a 122 break.
But he said: “The cut finger was very unfortunate for Jackson.
“I knew it would be distracting to him. As a snooker player, you want everything to be perfect.
“The first couple of shots he struggled. He never really got settled.”
The world No.2 is aiming for a FIFTH tournament win this season as he eyes the £170,000 top prize.
Another trophy would be perfect preparation ahead of next month’s World Snooker Championship.
Page cut mars Jackson’s big day
Jackson Page’s first snooker ranking semi-final was marred by a cut finger.
The Welshman, 22, “ripped the skin” off his littlest hand digit before the start of his World Open last-four clash with Judd Trump.
It happened on his right cueing hand and he had to delay breaking-off in the first frame to patch himself up and curb the bleeding.
Ding said: “I couldn’t feel my legs in the end. So much pressure on me.”
He claimed “pressure came with every shot” and added: “Until the last shot I didn’t know I would win.”
Ding punched the air with apparent joy after clinching victory – but he insisted the gesture was for another reason.
He said: “I just tried to release the pressure.
“I just tried to enjoy the moment. It’s so tough playing Neil.”
And asked if there were moments when he thought he would lose, Ding joked: “From the start.”
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