Watson fought back immediately – breaking her opponent in the first game of the second set with a perfectly-judged drop shot winner wrapping up the first game.

Jabeur broke back at the next opportunity and kept applying the pressure throughout the final set – claiming seven break points and taking two of them.

The Tunisian player won the tie on her first match point as Watson fired her service return long, and she will now have the opportunity to win her second grass court title – Jabeur triumphed at the Fuzion 100 Manchester Trophy in 2018.

“She’s a tough opponent and I love playing her,” Jabeur said. “We know each other well – we’ve played each other a few times – and it’s tough to play against her in Birmingham in particular.

“I tried to not waste my time on the court today to save energy as I knew it was going to be a long day. I played really well in the morning and in the second match I just tried to give it my all and make sure I am ready for the final.”

Jabeur had beaten Russia's Anastasia Potapova 6-4, 6-0 in her quarter-final earlier in the day and will face Kasatkina in the final after the fourth seed outclassed American Coco Vandeweghe 6-2, 6-4.

“It was a busy day in the green office,” said Kasatkina. “It was a tough two days – waiting yesterday was tough – and I am very happy to be in a grass court final for the first time and in Birmingham as well.

“Anastasia started the match really fast but I was able to handle the pressure and resist the aggressive game and I was very happy at 5-4 to close out the match.”