Rising star James Wade edged a titanic tussle with Dutchman Roland Scholten to book his place in the final of the Stan James World Matchplay in Blackpool tonight.
The 23-year-old from Aldershot, who became a full-time professional just 12 days before the tournament started, held his nerve to close out a memorable 19-17 victory at the Winter Gardens.
Scholten, the 2004 UK Open champion, lost the opening leg but he did not relinquish the lead again until the 31st leg.
The scores were level three legs later - but Wade found another gear when it mattered most.
He nailed double 20 to move ahead and scored heavily in the decisive leg - kicking off with 140, 180 - to set up the finish.
'It was my toughest game on TV - I've never experienced a game like that before," said Wade afterwards.
I'm over the moon. I did not get the start that I've had in my previous games, and I just couldn't find the treble 20 bed.'
'But falling behind made me more determined because I wanted to prove that I could win games from that position as well.'
A disappointed Scholten said: 'I missed too many doubles early on. I never put my foot down and allowed him back in.
