Snooker:Chinese prodigy Ding Junhui was just too hot to handle for six-time winner Stephen Hendry as he booked his place in this year's showcase SAGA Insurance Masters final.
The 19-year-old was far from his best against the all-conquering Scot. But after a sluggish start, Ding quickly found his flowing form and, having led 3-1 at the interval, he sent world number one Hendry packing with a convincing 6-2 victory at the Wembley Arena.
Speaking through a translator, a delighted Ding said: "I've not reached by best form yet, but I will try to play well in the final.
"It's always very difficult to beat Stephen here. He always looks very comfortable. But I'm delighted to have won. I'm very happy. I want to play better, though."
And, with another excellent win - he has already knocked out Welsh Open winner Stephen Lee and UK Championship winner Peter Ebdon earlier in the tournament - ambitious Shanghai potter Ding will now lock horns with either two-time Masters winner Ronnie O'Sullivan or 2004 UK winner Stephen Maguire in the best of 19 frames final.
"The best compliment I can give him is that there's only two or three players where you don't think you'll get back to the table - and he's consistently doing it," reflected Hendry.
"It was a good match to be involved in. If I can cut out the two or three errors, I'm feeling I'm still in the right direction. It's a great challenge for me to get my game back to compete with the likes of Ding.
"If Ding's going to keep playing like that, then he's going to be a top four player for the next 10 to 15 years. I can't see him going off the rails."
The talented teenager started in surprisingly slow fashion but, with breaks of 39 and 41, he managed to edge the opening two frames of the match.
Back came Hendry, winner of the Masters on a record five successive occasions from 1989 to 1993. A break of 56 saw the seven-time world champion reduce his arrears, but seemingly going to level, the 38-year-old had a stroke of bad luck.
On a break of 42 and only needing a few more balls to square proceedings, Hendry attempted a pot on the green ball, but somehow the ball bounced out of the pocket. It allowed Ding to snatch the frame with a pressure 25 clearance.
Hendry hit back immediately after the resumption with a superb 129 break, but it only spurred Ding on.
The Chinese ace pocketed a 64 break after Hendry missed a routine black on a break of 51, and it was 4-2. Ding then turned on the style. He compiled a splendid 128 break to make it 5-2 and then a sunk a 61 run to make sure of a deserved victory.