2024 Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters: Mark Williams sets up final date with Judd Trump in Riyadh

The 49-year-old from Wales has long since established himself as one of the sport's all-time greats, and victory on Saturday would represent his 27th career ranking event triumph and his third within the space of just 12 months as the reigning title holder of both the British Open and Tour Championship.

It was Si, though, who began the match like a dream; compiling a break of 116 to take the opening frame. However, the 22-year-old - who eliminated Ronnie O'Sullivan in the previous round - wasn't potting at the regularity he would have liked and was largely resigned to his seat for the next four frames as Williams rattled in breaks of 60, 97 and 77 in a free-flowing spell which put him 4-1 up and in control.

Williams was in again in frame six but missed a shot with the rest, and soon-to-be new world top 16 member Si stopped his opponent’s streak by fashioning a morale-boosting effort of 67 as he reduced the gap.

The complexion of the match was beginning to change in frame seven as Williams missed another shot with the rest when it looked like he may press home an opportunity, but Si fell agonisingly short of his target by rattling the final red down a side cushion when 26 points ahead. Up stepped Williams to clear up and win by five points - coolly slotting home the final black near the top cushion - to halt the Chinese cueist's momentum.

Playing his sixth match of the competition, German Masters finalist Si bounced back from that disappointment in frame eight by smashing in a long red and crafting a magnificent total clearance of 136 - his second century of the tie - to keep his campaign going.

However, Si botched a safety attempt in frame nine, leaving Williams an opportunity to get the match won, which he duly accepted with a break of 80. Usually someone who keeps his emotions inside, Williams clenched his fist in celebration as he crossed the finish line.

Earlier in the day, Trump secured a place in the final after dramatically ousting Shaun Murphy in a deciding frame on the colours.

In what is the richest professional snooker tournament ever to be held outside of the United Kingdom, Trump and Williams will meet in a two-session, best of 19 frames encounter on Saturday where the winner will collect £500,000 - the same amount Kyren Wilson claimed when he won the World Championship at the Crucible a few months ago.