It's about that time.

Rapturous applause inside the Crucible as both Shaun Murphy and John Higgins make their way down into the arena.

Which one of these two snooker legends will make it to the final?

We're about to find out.

Steve Sutcliffe
BBC Sport at the Crucible Theatre

The press box is torn over how this final session could go. Prior to the start of this semi-final many were making Shaun Murphy a narrow favourite.

After getting past Ali Carter, Ronnie O'Sullivan and Neil Robertson, the feeling was that John Higgins might run out of gas and that if Murphy could replicate the form he showed against Zhao Xintong, he could blast his way to victory.

But four-time world champion Higgins showed plenty of stamina last night to open up a narow advantage and continues to defy all logic by delivering at the very top end of the game despite his 51st birthday approaching.

Plenty of you were getting in touch throughout this morning's thrilling session and the only thing we ask of you for this afternoon is that you keep it going!

We'll use a selection of messages alongside our text updates this afternoon.

Ken Doherty
1997 world champion on BBC Two

John Higgins must be absolutely delighted because he's playing a man who's lit up this championship with the way he's playing, in a swashbuckling style, Shaun Murphy, playing at the top of his game.

But he's been holding on to him and now he's just timed his run perfectly going into the final furlong.

He's playing wonderful snooker. He's had to dig deep so many times against so many great players, and he's doing it again, against another one.

And here's how he did it...

After trading frames back and forth since the very first session, John Higgins will have been delighted to get that bit of breathing room before taking to the baize today.

'The Wizard of Wishaw' knocked in a wonderful century to secure the 24th frame of the contest and give himself a two-frame lead over Shaun Murphy, his biggest lead of the semi-final so far.

Steve Sutcliffe
BBC Sport at the Crucible Theatre

John Higgins opened up a slender 13-11 advantage over Shaun Murphy heading into the final session of their World Championship semi-final at the Crucible Theatre.

Four-time champion Higgins, who turns 51 later this month, had not led at the end of a session throughout the tournament but picked the ideal time to change that as he bids to reach a record-equalling ninth final in Sheffield.

Having resumed at 8-8, England's Murphy struck the first blow on Friday evening with a break of 60 to move into the lead for the first time since the end of the seventh frame.

However, in keeping with what had gone before, Higgins immediately responded with runs of 44 and 55 and then pinched the following frame after laying a snooker on the brown.

A wonderful break of 82 from Murphy ensured the players could not be separated at the mid-session interval.

The duo then conjured up plenty of drama and some superb snooker as they traded the next two frames.

Higgins constructed a 63 and Murphy then knocked in a superb century from the Scot's break-off shot.

At that stage 12-12 looked the likely outcome to a session in which both players delivered performances brimming with resolve.

However, Higgins found an extra gear when it mattered, crafting a run of 70 and then signing off for the evening with a superb 101.

BBC One

Live coverage from the Crucible Theatre is under way on BBC One, the BBC iPlayer and via the links on this page.

Wu Yize's three centuries in today's morning session took him to seven for the tournament, but he's still two behind his opponent, Mark Allen.

That could all change tonight, and will we see more heavy scoring from Shaun Murphy and John Higgins this afternoon?

Image source, BBC Sport

You're lapping up the snooker coverage on television, or perhaps you've paid a visit to the Crucible during this World Championship.

Now you might wonder where you can play the game.

The truth is there are far fewer clubs in the UK than used to be the case.

But there are some great options, and a number of clubs are thinking progressively as they look to keep the amateur sport thriving.

BBC Sport has taken a look at what went wrong at grassroots level and the efforts being made to deliver a resurgence.

Read more: A golden period for snooker - but are UK clubs returning from doldrums?

Welcome back!

Are we all feeling refreshed and well?

I hope the answer to that was an overwhelming “yes” because we’ve got a lot more snooker coming your way today.

John Higgins and Shaun Murphy are first up.

Who will be the first man to make it to the final?

We're going to take a quick break to recharge before this afternoon's action gets under way.

We'll crown our first finalist as John Higgins and Shaun Murphy play to a finish but before that, a reminder of this morning's excellent session of snooker.

• Wu Yize came out fighting after a disappointing Friday and knocked in a break of 142 to kick the day off
• That was one of three centuries the 22-year-old racked up during the morning session, while also adding a 76 for good measure
• Mark Allen was giving as good as he got, though the closest he got to a century was 99
• The tactical nous of Allen was shining through in the tighter frames and the Northern Irishman levelled things up in the final frame of the session after producing a number of wonderful snookers

We'll be back with you around 14:15, with play due to resume at 14:30.

Joe Perry
Former World Championship semi-finalist on BBC Two

It looks as though Mark Allen has got more to his game and if he doesn't play at the top level, he can still win. Wu Yize needs to play at the very best of his game to win this match so in that respect, I'm going to go with Mark Allen [to win].

Stephen Hendry
Seven-time world champion on BBC Two

Mark Allen has had everything thrown at him from Wu Yize. The interval maybe halted Wu Yize's momentum but 4-4 [for the session] is perfect.

Mark's going to win the majority of the tactical frames, no doubt about it, but if Wu Yize can just keep attacking, the balls are going to have to go in for him to win the match.

I think Mark Allen can win in many different ways; Wu Yize's got to pot them off the lampshades.

Joe Perry
Former World Championship semi-finalist on BBC Two

Wu Yize did what he needs to do and Mark Allen did his side of the job as well - tactically he is too strong for Wu Yize and in those games that can go either way, Allen's tactical nous is proving to be the difference.

John Parrott
1991 world champion on BBC Two

With what Wu Yize's thrown at him this morning, Mark Allen will be delighted.

He's played well himself, don't get me wrong, but his opponent's been magnificent.

What a final session this is going to be. They'll come back for what will be an enthralling evening session.

Mark Allen knocks the green in and Wu Yize decides enough is enough and shakes hands.

What an unbelievable session of snooker and of course it just had to end all square.

We are in for an absolute treat in the final session of this one tonight.

I need a lie down!