Stephen Maguire proved his mettle to world number one Judd Trump with a 9-6 victory to reach the final of the Coral Tour Championship.
Their last-four meeting in Milton Keynes came just a day after Trump said he felt Maguire lacked the mentality and dedication to reach his true potential.
Trump racked up a 97 break to level at 2-2 and then surged two in front, but Maguire's seventh century of the tournament saw them end the first session locked at 4-4.
Upon the resumption Trump twice edged ahead, and twice Maguire pegged the world champion back, winning frame 12 on the final black.
Maguire had hit six tons in his quarter-final win over Neil Robertson but this was a scrappier affair, and breaks of 36 and 47 saw him regain the lead.
Gritty Maguire then moved to within one frame of victory and a fluked frame-ball green proved it really was the 39-year-old's day.
Maguire will play either Mark Selby or Northern Ireland's Mark Allen - who meet tomorrow - in Friday's final.
