The 2019 German Masters title decider will be contested between Kyren Wilson and David Gilbert after they emerged from one-sided last four encounters on Saturday.
In a pair of scrappy affairs that failed to find much rhythm, the pair hammered Stephen Maguire and Duane Jones with resounding 6-1 scorelines.
The latter’s exit meant that the line-up for next week’s World Grand Prix is now complete as the Welshman needed to capture the title to break into the top 32 in the one-year rankings list.
Jones, ranked 90 and featuring in a surprise ranking event semi-final for the first time in his career, failed to rise to the occasion inside a packed Tempodrom arena.
Gilbert didn’t play particularly well but all he had to do was remain patient as he took advantage of his opponent’s inexperience to reach his second ranking event final of the campaign.
The 37 year-old will be hoping to erase the painful memories of his World Open defeat to Mark Williams last summer, when he led 9-5 only to lose in a decider.
Wilson, meanwhile, reached the final for the first time with a similar victory in which he capitalised on the numerous mistakes made by five-time ranking event winner Maguire.
The Kettering cueist boasts one of the strongest temperaments in the game and is being heralded as a potential future world champion.
A winner of two trophies already this term, including the Paul Hunter Classic that was also hosted in Germany, Wilson will be the favourite ahead of the showdown.
The 27 year-old has only met Gilbert once before, way back in the 2014 Shanghai Masters when he came out on top 5-1.
While that clash was in the round of 96 in qualifying cubicles, this title decider will determine who walks away £80,000 richer with the prized silverware raised aloft.
Gilbert is bidding for a maiden ranking event success after also losing in the final of the International Championship in 2015.
Glory for Wilson, by contrast, would represent a third win in what is his sixth ranking event final.
💬 “In the past, I’d have dwindled away my time”@KyrenWilson has changed his off-table routine with the help of brother @Taylor8Wilson, and it seems to be working!
Heading into tomorrow’s final, he’s won 11 of his last 12 frames #D88GermanMasters pic.twitter.com/Lt3NB48CBQ
— World Snooker (@WorldSnooker) February 2, 2019
The Englishmen are matched evenly enough but Wilson’s greater familiarity at the business stage of tournaments could prove to be the vital difference.
How Gilbert responds to the pressure, particularly following his collapse in Yushan, will be a key factor.
Indeed, both cueists will likely never have experienced an atmosphere quite like the one generated in Berlin when so much is at stake.
The final, regardless of the competitors in action, usually generates a hair-raising atmosphere that is arguably the most impressive on the entire calendar.
Both Wilson and Gilbert will be desperate to emerge victorious and etch their name onto a trophy that has become coveted since the tournament’s relaunch at the Tempodrom eight years ago.
The safe bet would suggest that Wilson will prevail but Gilbert only has to look back a couple of years for inspiration when Anthony Hamilton upset even greater odds to triumph in the German capital.
Either way, the champion is sure to receive the now customary standing ovation upon the finale’s climax as the appreciative fans demonstrate their respect for both the players and the game.
