Higgins fought back to claim a thrilling 17-16 win over England's David Gilbert, while Trump beat qualifier Gary Wilson 17-11 at the Crucible Theatre.

Higgins trailed 16-15 but levelled with a superb 139 clearance and then won a tense decider with a break of 55 to reach his eighth World Championship final.

The Scot came into the deciding session 13-11 down and Gilbert, playing in his first semi-final, briefly restored his four-frame advantage.

But Higgins roared back, winning four consecutive games to go in front for the first time in the match.

Gilbert responded by claiming two on the trot to move to within one frame of a place in the final but Higgins held his nerve to maintain his pursuit of a fifth title.

"I don't know how I got through," said Higgins. 

"I apologised to David because I brought him down to my level, I was very poor and he let me off the hook in the first three sessions."

Trump, who lost to Higgins in the 2011 final, resumed his clash with Wilson 14-10 in front.

The Englishman, seeking a first world title, wasted little time in booking his place in the final as he won the three frames he needed.

The final will be contested over four sessions and two days, beginning tomorrow.