John Higgins downs Gary Wilson to set up Barry Hawkins showdown

The Wizard of Wishaw was at his best as he bested Ronnie O’Sullivan 5-1 at the quarter-final stage on Friday but was at far from that level against world number 51 Wilson.

However, Higgins lent on all his matchplay expertise to get to the interval at 3-1 following a cagey session that saw neither player construct a break in excess of 50.

Wilson put together a break of 62 immediately after the interval to cut the arrears but Higgins responded with runs of 99 and 106 to confirm his spot in the final.

Earlier, Hawkins beat Noppon Saengkham 6-4 in the first semi-final.

The pair shared the opening two frames of the opening but Englishman Hawkins went to the interval leading 3-1 after finding his rhythm.

Thailand's Saengkham, playing in his first ranking event semi-final, was reduced to the role of spectator for the last two frames of the session as the Hawk's fine form in Cardiff continued unabated, with runs of 57 and 94 opening up a two-frame advantage at 3-1.

Saengkham took the second session to The Hawk and runs of 53, 57 and 139 put him put in contention at 5-4 but the Kent potter drew on all his experience to compile a 63 in frame 10 to secure his passage to the final.

Hawkins will meet the either John Higgins or Gary Wilson in the final.