World Championship: Barry Hawkins sets up showdown with Ronnie O'Sullivan

Barry Hawkins held off a fightback from Ricky Walden to book his place in the final of the World Championship.

The Kent cueman came through 17-14 to set up a meeting with four-time Crucible champion Ronnie O'Sullivan in the final.

Hawkins, the world No 14, trailed the man from Chester 12-8 but won nine of the last 11 frames, including a run of eight in a row.

He battled back to 12-12 heading into the evening session and then continued his hot streak with the first four frames after the resumption.

He won the first frame on a re-spotted black to edge ahead and a 60 in the 28th frame left him one frame from the final, before Walden hit back to win the next two games.

But Hawkins won a scrappy 31st frame to seal his place in the final against O'Sullivan, who has not been beaten in four previous appearances in the showpiece.

O'Sullivan leads Hawkins 4-1 in career meetings, but the first-time finalist has been in uncharted territory all week, having never previously been beyond the second round at the Crucible.