World champion Judd Trump and Thailand’s Thepchaiya Un-Nooh will contest the World Open final on Sunday in Yushan.
The pair emerged from titanic semi-final tussles on Saturday to book their spots in the showdown for glory.
A couple of 6-5 victories were required as both came through tough tests that somewhat surprisingly didn’t live up to their billings in terms of standard.
High breaks were at a premium in both matches but Trump and Un-Nooh managed to do just about enough to last the distance.
The latter, in particular, did superbly well to fight back from 5-3 down against Kyren Wilson to prevail in a decider.
Un-Nooh’s confidence has been soaring in the last week following his success in the invitational Haining Open in China.
The 34 year-old already has a ranking event title to his name, when he bagged the Snooker Shoot Out earlier in 2019, but reaching his first final in an event that boasts a longer format will surely count as a greater achievement still.
Un-Nooh won’t be satisfied with only that, of course, but his bid to add more silverware to his cabinet couldn’t be made much more difficult as he is forced to take on the world number one.
Trump looked edgy and well below his best against John Higgins in what was a repeat of the World Championship final from May.
However, a third victory this week in which he has had to emerge from a deciding frame means that the 30 year-old has built up reserves of resolve in abundance.
The Bristol potter is bidding for a second ranking crown this season after also tasting success in the International Championship in the summer.
Trump is obviously the favourite but Un-Nooh, a little like his esteemed opponent, does have the ability to rattle off a number of frames in quick succession through devastating break building.
Despite their arduous last encounters in reaching the World Open final, this affair has the makings of the being an entertaining and open battle.
“Thepchaiya is the most exciting player”@judd147t and Thepchaiya Un-Nooh meet in the final of the Zhiyuan World Open tomorrow!
They’re both quick, left-handed, entertaining, and both had to win deciding frames to book a final spot! #WorldOpen pic.twitter.com/F4RR2WwI8y
— World Snooker (@WorldSnooker) November 2, 2019
The duo last clashed in the World Championship this year, when Trump narrowly avoided a first round exit before proceeding to land his maiden world title.
That match concluded with a 10-9 scoreline and the neutrals will be hoping that they can conjure up something similar on this occasion.
Un-Nooh’s only victory over Trump came in the six reds guise so he’ll have to break new ground if he’s going to complete what has been a remarkable couple of weeks for him.
Yet, the obvious prediction would call for a Trump victory and if the 12-time ranking event winner gets his nose in front early on he’ll be a hard man to catch.
Live coverage of the World Open final is on Eurosport.
Click here to view the draw (Times: CET)
“Shoot Out is one frame & destiny, this is more frames & big money”
Nine months on from winning his first ranking title, Thepchaiya Un-Nooh is one match away from becoming Zhiyuan World Open champion!
He’s guaranteed £75,000 – the biggest pay cheque of his career #WorldOpen pic.twitter.com/dOfa1z6akt
— World Snooker (@WorldSnooker) November 2, 2019
