Mark can’t miss

MARK ALLEN raced into the semi-finals of the Scottish Open – after almost giving the tournament a miss.

Northern Ireland’s Allen,

32, is looking to close out a superb year with a fifth career-ranking title at Glasgow’s Emirates Arena.

And the reigning Masters champ ruined Londoner Alfie Burden’s

42nd birthday with a whitewash 5-0 win yesterday.

Allen almost withdrew from this event after a draining run to the final of the UK Championship last week, where he lost to Ronnie O’Sullivan.

But having made the decision to tough it out, the world No.6 could yet add to his Masters and International Championship titles in 2018.

He said: “I almost didn’t play in this event – if Ronnie had let me win the UK Championship, then I might have taken the week off.

“It is draining, coming straight off such a huge final on Sunday night and here on Monday, but once you get to this stage, you get up for it.”

Former world champion Shaun Murphy is also in the semis after beating Sam Baird 5-0.

He said: “I have got better with each match this week. Any win is good, the way my season has been.”