Selby ready for final

Selby beat compatriot Shaun Murphy 17-16 after a thrilling last-frame decider while Higgins produced a fine comeback to beat fellow Scot Stephen Maguire 17-15 in the other semi-final.

"This is a dream because I've wanted to win this tournament since I was a kid," 23-year-old Selby said.

"I'm going to give it my all. If I'm going to be fazed, it'll be in the first session."

But Selby beat Higgins 10-4 in the first round at the Crucible last season and he will take the positives from that match forward.

He added: "I believe I can beat John. But with the matches I won anyway obviously I got the self believe to know that I can go on and win the tournament. It is going to be a tough game and a great game and John is great player.

"I am not fearing anybody. I will go into the match as positive as I can and stay like that and try to play the game I have been playing recently."

Regardless of the result, the Leicester cueman will jump into the world's top 16 next season and will be exempt from having to qualify.

Ding Junhui and Ryan Day have also joined the game's elite with Matthew Stevens, Anthony Hamilton and Barry Hawkins losing their places.

Higgins, who will become the world number one, is preparing for his third appearance in the final after winning the title in 1998 and finishing runner-up in 2001.

The final, which is the best-of-35-frames, will be played on Sunday and Monday with a prize of £220,000 pounds going to the winner.