Dott also beat O'Sullivan in last year's Crucible semi-finals

The world champion opened up a 4-0 lead before O'Sullivan finally registered but Dott was not to be denied and quickly wrapped up victory.

"To beat Ronnie 6-2 is a confidence boost for me," said Dott. "The form I'm showing here is better than when I won the World Championship last season."

Dott will play Jamie Cope, a 6-5 winner over Barry Hawkins, in the final.

There was never more than a frame in it and Hawkins led 5-4 before Cope battled back to claim the decider on the black.

"I was ready to pack my bags and go home, but luckily I got a chance and took it," said the 21-year-old from Stoke.

I can't believe I've lost. I'm absolutely devastated Barry Hawkins

"It was a dull match for me, I just never got going for some reason. I just knew the match was going to go the wire, but I really thought I'd blown it."

Cope, ranked 47 in the world, will be in his second ranking final of the season, having lost the Grand Prix final in Aberdeen 9-5 to Neil Robertson.

"I just hope I turn up and produce my best form because I let myself down in the Grand Prix final," Cope added. "I didn't have enough belief in myself."

Hawkins admitted to being "absolutely devastated" at losing, despite an encouraging week.

"I can't believe I've lost," he said. "I had enough chances to win it, but I thought the final black was going in and it just stopped in the jaws of the pocket. I'm speechless."

Ronnie seemed to want to make a 147 every time he got to the table Graeme Dott

O'Sullivan, meanwhile, was left with mixed feelings after his disappointing exit, three weeks before the World Championship in Sheffield.

"Graeme played very well and I wasn't good enough," he reflected after his defeat to Dott.

"It's a relief the match is over, I feel good now. I've more important things to look forward to when I get home, although I'm not going to be thinking about the World Championship.

"I baffle myself sometimes with the way I play, but the Chinese fans have been good all week - and I'm looking forward to coming back here next year."

606: DEBATE Your thoughts on the tournament

Dott said he felt that winning the first two frames forced O'Sullivan to change his tactics.

"He seemed to want to make a 147 every time he got to the table," the Scot added.

"Those two frames at the beginning were pivotal. I pinched both, which made a big difference. I can't remember missing much, it's nice to get to my first final after winning the World Championship."

Saturday's semi-final matches:
(best of 11 frames)

Graeme Dott (Sco) 6-2 Ronnie O'Sullivan (Eng)
78-44 (78) 68-65 (65 O'Sullivan) 65-1 103-25 (62) 22-88 117-12 (117) 32-66 99-0 (99)

Jamie Cope (Eng) 6-5 Barry Hawkins (Eng)
1-75 72-58 59-31 1-85 7-82 (51) 68-29 (67) 75-2 (56) 31-66 20-88 (61) 71-63 (Hawkins 63) 64-54