On-form Allen closes in on Scottish Open title triumph

MARK Allen eased through to the semi-finals of the Scottish Open with a 5-0 win over Alfie Burden in Glasgow.

The Antrim player made a highest break of 86 in the whitewash win over the Englishman, who has never reached the last four of a ranking tournament.

Burden threatened to take the fifth frame but missed an easy red to the middle pocket after 24, which let Allen in to go clear with a break of 61.

Allen will play Daniel Wells in the last four after the Welshman cruised to a 5-1 success over compatriot Ryan Day.

In an all-English battle, Judd Trump edged out Stuart Carrington 5-3.

Trump will play former world champion Shaun Murphy, who reached the semi-finals with a 5-0 win over Sam Baird.

Masters champion Allen’s highest break yesterday came in the second frame, which he won 138-1.

The 32-year-old has been in impressive form recently, winning the International Championship in China last month and reaching the final of last week’s UK Championship, where he lost to Ronnie O’Sullivan but made the ‘Rocket’ sweat for his 10-6 victory.