Ronnie to take on Trump in final

SHEFFIELD: Ronnie O'Sullivan claimed a comfortable 17-11 win over John Higgins to book his place in the World Championship final against Judd Trump.

Six-time champion O'Sullivan, 46, becomes the oldest finalist since Ray Reardon reached the 1982 final aged 49.

Resuming 15-9 ahead, the world number one won two of the evening's first four frames to seal his win.

Earlier on Saturday, 2019 winner Trump withstood a Mark Williams fightback to win a final-frame decider 17-16. While that match was a nerve-shredding affair, O'Sullivan's progression to an eighth Crucible final was relatively routine against a below-par Higgins.

A break of 67 put him on the cusp of victory after four-time champion Higgins took the opening frame with a run of 69.

However, the Scot was always up against it after under performing for huge parts of the match and while he further reduced his arrears to 16-11, 'the Rocket' confirmed his win with an 83 before the scheduled mid-session interval.

O'Sullivan has won six of his seven finals and will now attempt to equal Stephen Hendry's coveted record of seven titles in the modern era.

"I knew I had to keep my rhythm and flow and play what I think is the type of snooker you need to win tournaments. In this modern day you have to grab the game by the scruff of the neck," O'Sullivan told BBC Sport.

"I decided at 3-0 down I had no rhythm so I just wanted to keep my pace."

Trump prevents remarkable Williams recovery

Trailing 12-5 on Friday, three-time champion Williams almost staged the biggest ever Crucible semifinal comeback as he reeled off 11 of the next 14 frames to establish a 16-15 lead against Trump.

Williams had been playing catch-up since a dismal opening session saw him fall 7-1 behind.

But an exhilarating display of potting brought him back into the contest, as he concluded on Friday evening just two frames behind at 13-11.