Barry Hawkins will take on Ronnie O’Sullivan in the final of the Shanghai Masters after edging a nervy semi-final with home favourite Ding Junhui.

The match went to the last frame but it was the man from Kent who prevailed after rallying from 9-7 down to reel off three straight frames and move to Sunday’s showpiece for a shot at the £200,000 first prize. The Englishman had himself lost five frames in a row as Ding came back from 7-4 down to sit on the cusp of the final, only to fluff his lines when it mattered most.

It meant the popular Chinese ace’s many fans were denied the opportunity of seeing their hero take on O’Sullivan, who is hoping to begin his season with a tournament win after moving past compatriot Kyren Wilson earlier on Saturday. It will be Hawkins to face the ‘Rocket’ and the duo are set to renew a rivalry that saw the Essex man emerge victorious from a tough encounter in the 2012 World Snooker Championship final.

O’Sullivan, who is priced at 4.50 to win the upcoming UK Championship, has looked in the mood in the Far East, taking out two former world champions in Neil Robertson and Stuart Bingham before disposing of Wilson. His supporters will hope it is the same player who turns up on Sunday as the five-time world champion has a tendency to blow hot and cold.