Ronnie O'Sullivan stayed on course for a record-equalling sixth Betway UK Championship title as Mark Williams became the latest victim of his relentless march in York.
Former world champion Williams kept pace with O'Sullivan early on before being swept away after the interval as the title favourite clinched a 6-2 victory.
It will be a ninth semi-final appearance at snooker's second biggest ranking tournament for O'Sullivan on Saturday.
Breaks of 64, 60 and 78 saw O'Sullivan, who turns 41 on Monday, cross the winning line.
He has dropped just five frames in five matches so far and awaits his first significant challenge as he bids to match Steve Davis' record haul of UK triumphs.
Because we would have all gone for the pink, right?@ronnieo147 making it look easy! 👌 #baizeofglory @betway pic.twitter.com/rtQcNel8XN
— World Snooker (@WorldSnooker1) December 2, 2016
O'Sullivan said: "I just had to keep powering away and I felt I would have too much for Mark.
"It wasn't the greatest performance, but I'm sure my game will get stronger and it will need to if I'm going to consistently win again, but I'm a fighter and I'll keep fighting until it happens."
Williams felt he had lost to an under-par O'Sullivan, and said: "That's probably the worst I've seen him play against me and he still hammered me."
Earlier, Mark Selby won a brutal baize battle against John Higgins on a 6-5 scoreline.
Selby prevailed after five hours of captivating snooker climaxed in a nail-biting deciding frame that saw more swings in momentum than many a match.
The Leicester cueman is bidding to end the year in which he landed his second world title by also lifting the UK trophy for a second time, and he looked to have his work cut out against the in-form Scot.
Higgins had made a sluggish start and was looking like being cut adrift when Selby made 119, 63 and 67 to surge 3-0 in front, meaning he was relieved to grab a frame before the interval to gain a foothold.
Outrageous shot! 🔥
— World Snooker (@WorldSnooker1) December 2, 2016
Where did Higgins find that one from?! #baizeofglory @betway pic.twitter.com/22rcLwFpYg
Momentum swung the Scot's way and remarkably a four-frame burst took him in front at 4-3, but Selby would not be shaken off and the match went all the way to the colours in the decider.
The tension inside the Barbican venue could hardly have been greater before Higgins fluked the yellow and had a priceless opening, but he then failed to cut back the green into its own pocket and Selby capitalised.
"I'm gutted," Higgins said. "I'd rather lose 6-0 than lose 6-5."
When it was pointed out he had showed great fight, he said: "Who cares? You show fight but you still lose. It's still gutting to lose a tough match."
Selby will face Shaun Murphy on Saturday for a place in the final.
Murphy, the 2008 UK champion, swept into the last four with a comprehensive 6-1 victory over Belgian Luca Brecel.
Hong Kong's Marco Fu stands between O'Sullivan and Sunday's final. The 38-year-old came from 5-2 behind to win 6-5 against Welshman Jamie Jones.
Jones had been on the brink of the biggest win of his career, and said afterwards: "It's a bitter pill to swallow. I don't think I missed a lot of balls, I think he just played a bit better than me in the end."
💬 @markjesterselby reacts to his incredible deciding-frame victory over Higgins for the semi finals! #baizeofglory @betway pic.twitter.com/rYazvh3mbR
— World Snooker (@WorldSnooker1) December 2, 2016
