China Open: Mark Selby to face Neil Robertson in final

Mark Selby produced more evidence of why he has returned to world number one by beating Shaun Murphy 6-2 to reach the final of the China Open.

Selby, who moved back above Judd Trump by reaching the quarter-finals in Beijing, stormed into a 3-0 lead.

Murphy took a close fourth frame but a 63 break restored Selby's lead and he closed out victory in some comfort.

He will play Australian Neil Robertson, who came from 5-4 down to pip Stephen Maguire 6-5, in Sunday's final.

The Scot led 4-2 before the world number three levelled at 4-4 with the help of an 87 break.

But Maguire hit back with an 82 to edge in front again, only for Robertson to respond with breaks of 110 - his fourth century of the week - and 81 to seal victory in style.

The 2010 world champion is chasing his first major title of the season, having lost in two finals - including to Selby in the Masters - and two semi-finals.

Robertson, who has six ranking event wins to his name, was also beaten by Selby in the quarter-finals of the UK Championship, although did beat the Englishman in the quarter-finals of the last ranking tournament, the Haikou World Open.

Selby, 29, is chasing his fifth title of the season, having won two European Tour events as well as the UK and the Masters, and a fourth ranking title in all.

"I've had a great season already and to win five events would be brilliant but I've got a job to do tomorrow (Sunday)," he said.

"I've had a good run here and I know my game is in the right shape going into the World Championship."