Yan Bingtao edged out defending champion Stuart Bingham 6-5 to book his place in the Masters final.

The 20-year-old, who had seen off Neil Robertson and Stephen Maguire in previous rounds, produced another mature display to fight back from two frames behind and move to within one more victory of a maiden triple crown title.

After Yan had levelled the match at 1-1 with a clearance of 94, Bingham produced two half-century breaks on his way to opening up a 4-2 lead.

The Chinese world number 11 was in resilient mood as he won the next 3 frames with breaks of 48, 63 and 100 to move 5-4 in front.

Bingham edged a tense 10th frame on the final pink to force a decider.

Yan, though, regained his composure in the decider, building a superb break of 65 which left Bingham needing snookers and eventually conceding the frame and with it the match.

John Higgins booked his place in the Master’s final for the first time since 2005 with a 6-4 victory over the talented David Gilbert.

Higgins followed up his magnificent victory over Ronnie O’Sullivan with a gritty display of match play.

The first four frames were shared but after the interval Higgins took control with breaks of 107 and 55 to lead 4-2. Gilbert then won the next two frames to regain parity but Higgins stepped it up a level again to win the final two frames to book his spot in the final.

Semi final results

Yan Bingtao 6-5 Stuart Bingham

John Higgins 6-4 David Gilbert