Joe O'Connor continued his remarkable run at the World Open as he defeated Ali Carter to set up a meeting with John Higgins in Saturday’s final.
World number 39 O’Connor added to victories earlier in the week against Judd Trump and Shaun Murphy, who he beat 5-2 and 5-1 respectively, by seeing off Carter 6-3 in Yushan.
The 29-year-old, through to only his second ranking final, having previously finished runner-up to Gary Wilson at the 2022 Scottish Open, said: "It was another solid performance, Ali wasn’t at his best but I took my chances when I got them.
"I feel I’m a more complete player than I was when I last reached a final in 2022, I am more consistent and my scoring has definitely improved.
"Hopefully that can continue and who knows what will happen tomorrow. I’d say 99.9% of the time I don’t feel nerves, I try to just focus on the next shot and that doesn’t leave room for nerves to creep in."
O’Connor’s grandfather died recently, and when asked if he had been thinking about him this week, he said: "I have had little moments. The little rubs of the green I am getting might be him up there moving the balls for me and making sure I can go on and win this. That’s what I want to do, it would be for him."
Higgins came from 5-3 down to beat Zak Surety 6-5 in their semi-final, the 49-year-old Scot becoming the oldest ranking event finalist since 1986.
He is aiming for his 32nd ranking title and first since the 2021 Players Championship.
World number 89 Surety had never previously been beyond the last 16 of a ranking event.
Higgins said: "It feels amazing to win, I’m buzzing.
"Zak will be pig sick because he totally outplayed me, he just missed a couple of crucial balls at the end.
"He was holding himself together brilliantly at 5-3, every credit to him in his first semi. It’s a tough game when you’re under pressure."
