Ronnie O’Sullivan set up a final meeting with Judd Trump in the Northern Ireland Open with a deciding-frame victory over Mark Selby.

O’Sullivan managed three century breaks in the first five frames to open up a 5-3 lead as he appeared set for a fairly comfortable win over Selby. The world number one fought back, however, with a break of 72 and a solid performance in the 10th frame under real pressure to force the decider.

Selby hit a fortunate snooker in the decider and O’Sullivan fouled several times when trying to hit a red and it looked as if the ‘Jester from Leicester’ was on the verge of completing a remarkable comeback. But the five-time world champion enjoyed a slice of luck himself as he eventually managed to hit the red and it drifted into the middle pocket.

O’Sullivan cleared up from that point to win the decider 70-68, claiming a 6-5 win and securing a spot in Sunday’s final.

The ‘Rocket’ has claimed the Shanghai Masters and Champion of Champions titles this season but should he take the prize in Belfast it will be his first ranking event success of the season so far.

The 42-year-old has only competed in one ranking event, reaching the semi finals of the International Championship, prior to his appearance in the Northern Ireland Open.

O’Sullivan is 1.44 to win Sunday’s final and Trump can be backed at 2.75. The first Triple Crown event of the season begins later this month and O’Sullivan is the 3.80 favourite to win the UK Championship outright, while Selby can be backed at 6.50.