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MICHAEL Smith and Rob Cross will meet in the final of the 2019 Betfred World Matchplay on Sunday after coming through their semi-final ties on a night of high-drama in Blackpool.

Cross produced one of the most incredible comebacks ever seen on the Winter Gardens stage to edge out Daryl Gurney 17-15, while Smith ended Glen Durrant's fairy-tale run with a convincing 17-10 victory.

Smith wasted no time in re-acquainting himself with the Winter Gardens stage as he won nine of the first 11 legs, all in five visits or fewer to the board, to take a commanding 9-2 lead in Saturday's second semi-final.

Durrant's resilience saw him battle his way back to trail 8-12, but he was unable to find the form which saw him beat Adrian Lewis, Michael van Gerwen and James Wade in the previous rounds.

Smith poured water on any hopes of a Durrant comeback by winning the next three legs before continuing his relentless high-scoring and clinical finishing to close out the win and reach his second televised ranking final following his runner-up place at January's World Championship.

"I'm overwhelmed to be in the final - so happy," said Smith. "It feels good, especially with the year I've had where everyone seems to write me off.

"I've shown that I can fight this week and I showed the mental attitude tonight - I had to prove a point.

"I got ahead of Glen and at 8-2 I knew that even if I lost the next two sessions 3-2, 3-2 then he was only making one leg up on me both times. I stayed focused and it all went to plan."

Smith also reached the 2018 Premier League final, and will be chasing the biggest title of his career when he challenges for the £150,000 title and the Phil Taylor Trophy on Sunday.

"I've been in finals before and I have to get a win soon," he added. "If it doesn't happy tomorrow then I'll be back stronger, but I'm going to give it everything I've got."

"As long as I keep believing that I'll win one, I know for a fact that I will."

Cross is the 4/6 favourite with sponsors Betfred going into the final, with Smith the 6/5 outsider to lift the Phil Taylor Trophy.