Walden earns Rocket clash

Walden: Brilliant comeback

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Giant-killer Ricky Walden hit Mark Selby for six by staging a brilliant comeback to progress into Sunday's Roewe Shanghai Masters final, where he will face Ronnie O'Sullivan for the title.

World number 35 Walden, a qualifier for the event, won the last five frames to stun his fellow Englishman 6-4 at the Shanghai Grand Stage.

It was the latest success for the Flintshire potter who had already dispatched Stephen Hendry, Neil Robertson and Steve Davis on his way to his first-ever final.

He will now take on O'Sullivan in the best-of-17 frame showpiece for the £52,000 first prize, after he beat Stephen Maguire in a tense 6-5 victory.

A delighted Walden said: "I'm thrilled to bits to be in my first final but it was a real struggle out there this afternoon.

Luck

"I had a bit of luck today, but then I've had plenty of bad luck over my career so I think it evens itself out, but I'm happy to have some today.

"I'm not bothered who I face, it's the old cliche. Stephen is a good friend of mine so it would be good to play him, but Ronnie is the best in the world so I don't mind.

"To be honest, for three years in my head I've been expecting to come to events and win them, so it's good to get to a final at last."

World number four Selby established a 3-1 interval lead and then took the first frame following the resumption for a commanding 4-1 advantage.

But Walden hit back with a five frame salvo, with breaks of 58 and 86 helping the former Young Player of Distinction first level proceedings, before important scores of 34 and 36 saw him edge ahead in the match for the first time.

He then compiled a pressure break of 47 to seal an unlikely - but deserved - victory and leave Selby stunned.

Rocket through

O'Sullivan made three breaks over 50 and two centuries en route to victory - including a superb 145 in the deciding frame to clinch his place in the final.

The game was tight throughout with never more than a frame between the two men - and it was Maguire who went within a frame of victory first by going 5-4 in front.

However, O'Sullivan rattled in an 87 to send the semi-final into a deciding frame and he then produced his wonderful best to seal victory.

"I didn't play as well as I can but Stephen made it tough for me, so it was nice to win those last two frames and get over the line," said the world champion.

"It was tough at times out there, I couldn't seem to find any rhythm, but my 145 in the last frame was a good way to finish the match.

"I'm looking forward to playing Ricky in the final, he must be playing well this week to have got this far."