World number one Judd Trump established a 5-3 advantage over Barry Hawkins after the opening session of the Victorian Plumbing UK Championship final.
The Ace in the Pack needs five more frames for a second UK crown and first since 2011. He earned his place in the final with a 6-2 demolition of World Champion Kyren Wilson in the semis and has already picked up two tournament wins this season, at the Shanghai Masters and Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters.
Hawkins came through a late night marathon last night against Mark Allen, winnning 6-5 with the clock just shy of 1pm. He's gunning for a maiden Triple Crown title this evening.
Trump took the opener this afternoon with a break of 73, before 116 from Hawkins restored parity. 2019 Crucible king Trump regained the lead by winning the third and was in first with 69 in the fourth. However, a nerveless clearance of 70 from Hawkins saw him steal by a point and head into the mid-session at 2-2.
When play resumed, Trump took three on the bounce to take control at 5-2. The last of the session went the way of Hawkins, who fired in 81 to set up an intriguing evening.
They resume at 7pm where the first to ten frames will take home the £250,000 top prize.