Ding blows Williams away to reach final

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Williams started in brilliant fashion with a total clearance of 142, only for Ding to reel off the next six frames in succession.

Ding will face Australia's Neil Robertson in Sunday's final at the Kelvin Hall after the left-hander beat home favourite John Higgins 6-5 on the final black.

That match had been a high-quality affair and a repeat looked on the cards in the second semi-final as Williams compiled an effortless clearance in the opening frame.

Ding took the second frame and went 2-1 ahead with a break of 103 in the third, the Chinese star then making it 3-1 in another scrappy frame before the mid-session interval.

After also winning the fifth frame, Ding produced arguably the shot of the tournament in the next, slamming home a long brown despite the cue ball resting in the jaws of the corner pocket. And a break of 85 then sealed an impressive victory for the 22-year-old.

Earlier in the day, Robertson looked set for a comfortable win as he led Higgins 5-3, only for the world champion to fight back to force a decider at 5-5.

Higgins appeared to be on the verge of a remarkable comeback after an excellent pot on the green with the rest, but proceeded to miss an inviting brown to open the door for Robertson.

The left-hander ended up attempting a risky long double on the black, leaving the ball tight on the baulk cushion after it rattled in the jaws of the green pocket.

With no safety realistically on, Higgins went for the difficult pot but only succeeded in leaving the simplest of shots for his opponent and duly conceded.