Trump, seeking his 30th-ranking event title, opened the match with a confident 73 break.
However, the underdog Hawkins, a humble qualifier known for his resilience, fought back with a stunning 116 clearance and a 70 break to level the score at 2-2.
The momentum shifted in Trump's favour as he produced a brilliant 102 break to regain the lead and extended it to 5-2.
Hawkins, who had just concluded a gruelling semi-final victory over Mark Allen, showed admirable determination to reduce the deficit with an 81 break.
Despite Hawkins' efforts, several missed opportunities, particularly in the fifth and sixth frames, hampered his progress towards a first Triple Crown title for the 45-year-old.
The final session will resume at 20:00 CET, with the winner claiming a top prize of £250,000.