Peter Ebdon tonight set up a possible repeat of this year's world title showdown when he reached the Maplin UK Championship final in York.
The 36-year-old, now based in Dubai, won 9-7 against John Higgins and could meet his Crucible conqueror Graeme Dott in the battle for the £77,000 first prize on Sunday.
In tomorrow's second semi-final Dott meets Stephen Hendry, the man Ebdon beat to capture the world crown himself in 2002.
Ebdon's victory tonight came in a match of outstanding quality, right from the first red being potted in the opening frame. That led to an attempt at a maximum 147 break by Ebdon which broke down when he missed the 13th black having lost position.
The duo were level at 4-4 after the first session which featured seven breaks over 60, the highlight a 132 from Ebdon, and the superb standard continued in the evening.
In frame 14 came the pivotal moment as, with Ebdon leading 7-6, Higgins missed a straightforward red on a break of 49 and hung his head in frustration for several seconds.
The Englishman stepped in to take a two-frame advantage and although the 1998 world champion kept his hopes alive in the next, Ebdon completed his success with a decisive 43 after both players had missed chances under the increasing pressure.
